Pilot transmission and reception for orthogonal frequency division multiple access

ABSTRACT

A wireless device transmits a frame by determining a plurality of Resource Units (RUs) of the frame, providing pilots in a first RU of the frame at a first set of positions, providing pilots in a second RU of the frame at a second set of positions, and transmitting the frame. The first set of positions is different from the second set of positions. A wireless device receives a frame including an RU including pilots and processes the pilots. When an RU for the data symbol includes an odd-numbered lowest subcarrier, the pilots are included at a first set of positions in the resource unit. When the RU includes an even-numbered lowest subcarrier, the pilots are included at a second set of positions in the resource unit. The second set of positions is different from the first set of positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 15/444,188,filed Feb. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.15/150,127, filed May 9, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,621,311, issued Apr.11, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/159,187 filed May 8, 2015, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The technology described herein relates generally to wirelessnetworking. More particularly, the technology relates to thetransmission and reception of symbols (such as symbols in OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) frames) that include pilotstransmitted using pilot tones.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wireless LAN (WLAN) devices are currently being deployed in diverseenvironments. Some of these environments have large numbers of accesspoints (APs) and non-AP stations in geographically limited areas. Inaddition, WLAN devices are increasingly required to support a variety ofapplications such as video, cloud access, and offloading. In particular,video traffic is expected to be the dominant type of traffic in manyhigh efficiency WLAN deployments. With the real-time requirements ofsome of these applications, WLAN users demand improved performance indelivering their applications, including improved power consumption forbattery-operated devices.

A WLAN is being standardized by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) Part 11 under the name of “Wireless LAN MediumAccess Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications.” A seriesof standards have been adopted as the WLAN evolved, including IEEE Std802.11™-2012 (March 2012) (hereinafter, IEEE Std 802.11). The IEEE Std802.11 was subsequently amended by IEEE Std 802.11ae™-2012, IEEE Std802.11aa™-2012, IEEE Std 802.11ad™-2012, and IEEE Std 802.11ac™-2013(hereinafter, IEEE 802.11ac).

Recently, an amendment focused on providing a high efficiency (HE) WLANin high-density scenarios is being developed by the IEEE 802.11ax taskgroup. The 802.11ax amendment focuses on improving metrics that reflectuser experience, such as average per station throughput, the 5thpercentile of per station throughput of a group of stations, and areathroughput. Improvements will be made to support environments such aswireless corporate offices, outdoor hotspots, dense residentialapartments, and stadiums.

An HE WLAN supports Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access(OFDMA) communications. In the OFDMA communications, an Access Point(AP) may communicate simultaneously with a plurality of stations byallocating respective Resource Units (RUs) (that is, groups ofsubchannels) within the stations.

An HE WLAN also supports the use of longer symbols in data fields of anHE frame. For example, while a preamble of the HE frame may includeOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols haverespective durations, exclusive of Cyclic Prefixes (CPs), of 3.2microseconds, a data field of the HE frame may include OFDM symbols haverespective durations, exclusive of CPs, of 12.8 microseconds.

A duration of an OFDM symbol may be determined according to a number ofinput elements of a Fourier Transform (FT) or Inverse Fourier Transform(iFT) respectively used to decode or generate the OFDM symbol. An OFDMsymbol having a duration, exclusive of CP, of 3.2 microseconds in a 20MHz bandwidth may be generated using an iFT having 64 input elements(i.e. a 64-element iFT) and decoded using a FT having 64 input elements(i.e. a 64-element FT). An OFDM symbol having a duration, exclusive ofCP, of 12.8 microseconds in a 20 MHz bandwidth may be generated using aniFT having 256 input elements (i.e. a 256-element iFT) and decoded usinga FT having 256 input elements (i.e. a 256-element FT). A number ofinput elements of an FT or iFT may be referred to as a size of the FT oriFT.

Pilots are used in 802.11 systems for performing channel estimation andfor performing carrier frequency offset (CFO) tracking. Pilots used forchannel estimation may be included in a training field, such as a LongTraining Field (LTF).

CFO may occur, for example, because of a frequency mismatch betweenoscillators of a transmitter and a receiver or because of the DopplerEffect due to relative motions of the transmitter and receiver. Even ifthe channel state does not change over a duration of a received frame, aresidual CFO may changeover the duration. Because the CFO may changeduring the duration, pilots for CFO tracking may be included in symbolsof data fields. Such pilots may be carried by pilot tones located atpilot tone positions of the symbols.

Ideally, pilots are included in all OFDM symbols, and span the entirefrequency bandwidth of the transmitted signal so that CFO trackingperformance may be improved by the inclusion of frequency diversity. Thepositioning of pilots tones carrying the pilots may vary between symbolsin training fields and symbols in data fields, and between symbolsgenerated using different Fourier Transform (FT) sizes.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for transmitting a framecomprises determining, by the wireless device, a plurality of ResourceUnits (RUs) of the frame, providing a first plurality of pilots into afirst RU of the frame at a first set of positions, respectively,providing a second plurality of pilots into a second RU of the frame ata second set of positions, respectively, and transmitting the frame. Thefirst set of positions is different from the second set of positions.

In an embodiment, the frame is an Orthogonal Frequency Division MultipleAccess (OFDMA) frame and the plurality of RUs include respectivepluralities of subcarriers.

In an embodiment, the first RU includes a lowest subcarrier having anodd-numbered index, and the second RU includes a lowest subcarrierhaving an even-numbered index.

In an embodiment, the first RU is a 52-subcarrier RU and the second RUsis a 52-subcarrier RU.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the first RU, a second pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position, a third pilot toneposition separated by eleven subcarriers from the second pilot toneposition, and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and six subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first RU. The pilot tones ofthe second RU include a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first RU, a sixth pilottone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilottone position, a seventh pilot tone position separated by elevensubcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position, and an eighth pilot toneposition separated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot toneposition and five subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier ofthe second RU.

In an embodiment, the first RU is a 26-subcarrier RU, and the second RUis a 26-subcarrier RU.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the first RU and a second pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first RU. Thethe second set of positions includes a third pilot tone position spacedsix subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the second RUand a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers fromthe third pilot tone position and five subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the second RU.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises providing a thirdplurality of pilots in a third RU of the frame at a third set ofpositions, respectively. The second set of positions is different fromthe third set of positions, the third RU is a 26-subcarrier RU, and thethird RU is a center RU that is split into 13 positive-indexedsubcarriers and 13 negative-indexed subcarriers by DC tones.

In an embodiment, the third set of positions includes a fifth pilot toneposition spaced six subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier ofthe third RU and a sixth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the third RU

In an embodiment, the first set of positions is a mirror image of thesecond set of positions.

In an embodiment, the frame includes a 2× High Efficiency (HE) LongTraining Field (HE-LTF). The first set of positions respectivelycorrespond to locations of non-null subcarriers of symbols of the 2×HE-LTF. The second set of positions respectively correspond to thelocations of the non-null subcarriers of the symbols of the 2× HE-LTF.

In an embodiment, pilot tone positions for all RUs in a lower half of a20 MHz channel are mirror symmetric to pilot tone positions forcorresponding mirrored RUs in an upper half of the 20 MHz channel.

In an embodiment, pilot tone positions for all RUs in a lower half of a40 MHz channel are mirror symmetric to pilot tone positions forcorresponding mirrored RUs in an upper half of the 40 MHz channel.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for transmitting a framecomprises providing pilots in a resource unit, and transmitting theframe including the resource unit. When a lowest subcarrier of theresource unit has an odd-numbered index, a plurality of pilots areincluded at a first set of positions in the resource unit, respectively.When the a lowest subcarrier of the resource unit has an even-numberedindex, a plurality of pilots are included at a second set of positionsin the resource unit, respectively. The second set of positions isdifferent from the first set of positions.

In an embodiment, the resource unit is a 52-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the resource unit, a second pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position, a third pilot toneposition separated by eleven subcarriers from the second pilot toneposition, and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and six subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit. The second setof positions include a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit, a sixthpilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifthpilot tone position, a seventh pilot tone position separated by elevensubcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position, and an eighth pilot toneposition separated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot toneposition and five subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier ofthe resource unit.

In an embodiment, the resource unit is a 26-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the resource unit and a second pilot tone position separated bythirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position and sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit.The second set of positions include includes a third pilot tone positionspaced six subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and five subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit is a center resource unit thatis split into 13 negative-indexed subcarriers and 13 positive-indexedsubcarriers by DC tones, a plurality of pilots are included at a thirdset of positions in the resource unit, respectively. The third set ofpositions is different from the second set of positions.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the resource unit and a second pilot tone position separated bythirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position and sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit.The second set of positions includes a third pilot tone position spacedsix subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriersfrom the third pilot tone position and five subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit. The third set ofpositions includes a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit and a sixthpilot tone position spaced six subcarriers away from a highest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for receiving a framecomprises receiving the frame. The frame includes a resource unit. Theresource unit includes pilots. The method further comprises processingthe pilots. When a lowest subcarrier of the resource unit has anodd-numbered index, a plurality of pilots are included at a first set ofpositions in the resource unit, respectively. When the lowest subcarrierof the resource unit has an even-numbered index, a plurality of pilotsare included at a second set of positions in the resource unit,respectively. The second set of positions is different from the firstset of positions.

In an embodiment, the resource unit is a 52-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the resource unit, a second pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position, a third pilot toneposition separated by eleven subcarriers from the second pilot toneposition, and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and six subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit. The second setof positions include a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit, a sixthpilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifthpilot tone position, a seventh pilot tone position separated by elevensubcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position, and an eighth pilot toneposition separated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot toneposition and spaced five subcarriers away from a highest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit.

In an embodiment, the resource unit is a 26-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the resource unit and a second pilot tone position separated bythirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit.The second set of positions includes a third pilot tone position spacedsix subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriersfrom the third pilot tone position and spaced five subcarriers away froma highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit is a center resource unit thatis split into 13 negative-indexed subcarriers and 13 positive-indexedsubcarriers by DC tones, a plurality of pilots are included at a thirdset of positions in the resource unit, respectively. The third set ofpositions is different from the second set of positions.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the resource unit and a second pilot tone position separated bythirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit,The second set of positions includes a third pilot tone position spacedsix subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriersfrom the third pilot tone position and spaced five subcarriers away froma highest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit. The third set ofpositions includes a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit and a sixthpilot tone position spaced six subcarriers away from a highest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates components of a wireless device configured totransmit data according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates components of a wireless device configured toreceive data according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access(OFDMA) frame including a High Efficiency (HE) Long Training Field (LTF)according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates positions in an even-aligned Resource Unit (RU) oftones corresponding to tones of a 2×LTF having an even mapping,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates positions in an even-aligned RU of tonescorresponding to tones of the 2×LTF having an odd mapping, according toan embodiment.

FIG. 4D illustrates positions in an RU of tones corresponding to tonesof the 4×LTF according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates even and odd RUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth according toan embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a table listing subcarrier indexes of the RUs of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates even and odd RUs in a 40 MHz bandwidth according toan embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates even and odd RUs in an 80 MHz bandwidth according toan embodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates even and odd RUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a table listing subcarrier indexes of the RUs of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates even and odd RUs in a 40 MHz bandwidth according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an RU according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an RU having mirror symmetry to the RU of FIG. 10,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of designA, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of designA, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of designA, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 illustrates a 52-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 illustrates a 52-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 illustrates a 52-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a 52-subcarrier RU of alternative 1 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 includes a Table 3 that indicates pilot tone positions forembodiments of 106-subcarrier RUs of alternative 1 of design A.

FIG. 24 includes a Table 4 that indicates pilot tone positions forembodiments of 108-subcarrier RUs of alternative 1 of design A.

FIG. 25 includes a Table 5 that indicates pilot tone positions forembodiments of 242-subcarrier RUs of alternative 1 of design A.

FIG. 26 includes a Table 6 that indicates pilot tone positions forembodiments of 242-subcarrier RUs of alternative 1 of design A.

FIG. 27 includes a Table 7 that indicates pilot tone positions forembodiments of center 242-subcarrier RUs of alternative 1 of design A.

FIG. 28 illustrates a 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 2 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 2 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU of alternative 2 of designA, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a 52-subcarrier RU of alternative 2 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 32 illustrates a 52-subcarrier RU of alternative 2 of design A,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33A illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of a 20 MHz bandwidth(BW) of Case 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 33B includes a Table 9 showing pilot tone relative positions in the20 MHz BW, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 34 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 35 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 36 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 37 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 38 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 39 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 40 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 41 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 42 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 43 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 44 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 45 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 46A illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of a 40 MHz bandwidth(BW) of Case 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 46B includes a Table 10 showing pilot tone relative positions inthe 40 MHz BW according to an embodiment.

FIG. 47 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 48 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 49 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 50 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 51 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 52 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 53 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 54A illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of a 20 MHz bandwidth(BW) of Case 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 54B includes a Table 11 showing pilot tone relative positions inthe 20 MHz BW according to an embodiment.

FIG. 55 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 56 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 57 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 58 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 20 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 59A illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of a 40 MHz bandwidth(BW) in Case 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 59B includes a Table 12 showing pilot tone relative positions inthe 40 MHz BW according to an embodiment.

FIG. 60 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 61 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 62 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 63 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 64 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 65 illustrates pilot tone positions for RUs of the 40 MHz BW in ofCase 2, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 66 illustrates an option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 67 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 68 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 69 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 70 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 71 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 72 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments.

FIG. 73 illustrates an option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments.

FIG. 74 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments.

FIG. 75 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments.

FIG. 76 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments.

FIG. 77 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments.

FIG. 78 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments.

FIG. 79 illustrates a process for transmitting a frame in a wirelessnetwork, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 80 illustrates another process for transmitting a frame in awireless network, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 81 illustrates a process for transmitting a frame, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 82 illustrates a sub-process for providing pilots, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 83 illustrates a process for receiving a frame, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 84 illustrates a sub-process for obtaining pilots, according to anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to wirelessnetworking, and more particularly, to providing and processing pilots inOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols to supportsame and different FFT size for symbols in a Long Training Field (LTF)and OFDM symbols in a data field of a frame, the frame being a frametransmitted in a wireless network.

In the following detailed description, certain illustrative embodimentshave been illustrated and described. As those skilled in the art wouldrealize, these embodiments may be modified in various different wayswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly,the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative innature and not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate likeelements in the specification.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network according to an embodiment. Thewireless network includes an infrastructure Basic Service Set (BSS) 100of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). In an 802.11 wireless LAN, theBSS provides the basic building-block and typically includes an accesspoint (AP) and one or more associated stations (STAs). In FIG. 1, theBSS 100 includes an Access Point 102 (also referred to as AP) wirelesslycommunicating with first, second, third, and fourth wireless devices (orstations) 104, 106, 108, and 110 (also referred to as STA1, STA2, STA3,and STA4, respectively). The wireless devices may each include a mediumaccess control layer (MAC) and a physical layer (PHY) according to anIEEE 802.11 standard.

Although the example of FIG. 1 shows only the BSS 100 including only thefirst to fourth stations STA1 to STA4, embodiments are not limitedthereto and may comprise BSSs including any number of STAs.

The AP 102 is a station, that is, a STA, configured to control andcoordinate functions of the BSS 100. The AP 102 may transmit informationto a single station selected from the plurality of stations STA1 to STA4in the BSS 100 using a single frame, or may simultaneously transmitinformation to two or more of the stations STA1 to STA4 in the BSS 100using either a single Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)broadcast frame, a single OFDM Multi-User Multi-Input-Multi-Output(MU-MIMO) transmission, or a single Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (OFDMA) frame.

The stations STA1 to STA4 may each transmit data to the AP 102 using asingle frame, or transmit information to and receive information fromeach other using a single frame. Two or more of the stations STA1 toSTA4 may simultaneously transmit data to the AP 102 using an Uplink (UL)OFDMA frame. When the BSS 100 supports Spatial Division Multiple Access(SDMA), two or more of the stations STA1 to STA4 may simultaneouslytransmit data to the AP 102 using an UL MU-MIMO frame.

In another embodiment, the AP 102 may be absent and the stations STA1 toSTA4 may be in an ad-hoc network.

Each of the stations STA1 to STA4 and the AP 102 includes a processorand a transceiver, and may further include a user interface and adisplay device.

The processor is configured to generate a frame to be transmittedthrough a wireless network, to process a frame received through thewireless network, and to execute protocols of the wireless network. Theprocessor may perform some or all of its functions by executing computerprogramming instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readablemedium. The transceiver represents a unit functionally connected to theprocessor, and designed to transmit and receive a frame through thewireless network.

The transceiver may include a single component that performs thefunctions of transmitting and receiving, or two separate components eachperforming one of such functions. The processor and the transceiver maybe implemented in each of the stations STA1 to STA4 and the AP 102 usingrespective hardware components, software components, or both.

The AP 102 may be or may include a WLAN router, a stand-alone AccessPoint, a WLAN bridge, a Light-Weight Access Point (LWAP) managed by aWLAN controller, and the like. In addition, a device such as a personalcomputer, tablet computer, or cellular phone may be able to operate asthe AP 102, such as when a cellular phone is configured to operate as awireless “hot spot.”

Each of the stations STA1 to STA4 may be or may include a desktopcomputer, a laptop computer, a tablet PC, a wireless phone, a mobilephone, a smart phone, an e-book reader, a Portable Multimedia Player(PMP), a portable game console, a navigation system, a digital camera, aDigital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) player, a digital audio recorder,a digital audio player, a digital picture recorder, a digital pictureplayer, a digital video recorder, a digital video player, and the like.

The present disclosure may be applied to WLAN systems according to IEEE802.11 standards but is not limited thereto.

In IEEE 802.11 standards, frames exchanged between stations (includingaccess points) are classified into management frames, control frames,and data frames. A management frame may be a frame used for exchangingmanagement information that is not forwarded to a higher layer of acommunication protocol stack. A control frame may be a frame used forcontrolling access to a medium. A data frame may be a frame used fortransmitting data to be forwarded to the higher layer of thecommunication protocol stack.

Each frame's type and subtype may be identified using a type field and asubtype field included in a control field of the frame, as prescribed inthe applicable standard.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a wireless device 200according to an embodiment. The wireless or WLAN device 200 canrepresent any device in a BSS, e.g., the AP 102 or any of the stationsSTA1 to STA4 in FIG. 1. The WLAN device 200 includes a basebandprocessor 210, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 240, an antenna unit250, a storage device (e.g., memory) 232, one or more input interfaces234, and one or more output interfaces 236. The baseband processor 210,the memory 232, the input interfaces 234, the output interfaces 236, andthe RF transceiver 240 may communicate with each other via a bus 260.

The baseband processor 210 performs baseband signal processing, andincludes a MAC processor 212 and a PHY processor 222. The basebandprocessor 210 may utilize the storage device 232, which may include anon-transitory computer readable medium having software (e.g., computerprogramming instructions) and data stored therein.

In an embodiment, the MAC processor 212 includes a MAC softwareprocessing unit 214 and a MAC hardware processing unit 216. The MACsoftware processing unit 214 may implement a first plurality offunctions of the MAC layer by executing MAC software, which may beincluded in the software stored in the storage device 232. The MAChardware processing unit 216 may implement a second plurality offunctions of the MAC layer in special-purpose hardware, hereinafterreferred to as “MAC hardware.” However, the MAC processor 212 is notlimited thereto. For example, the MAC processor 212 may be configured toperform the first and second plurality of functions entirely in softwareor entirely in hardware according to an implementation.

The PHY processor 222 includes a transmitting signal processing unit 224and a receiving signal processing unit 226. The PHY processor 222implement a plurality of functions of the PHY layer. These functions maybe performed in software, hardware, or a combination thereof accordingto implementation.

Functions performed by the transmitting signal processing unit 224 mayinclude one or more of Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding, streamparsing into one or more spatial streams, diversity encoding of thespatial streams into a plurality of space-time streams, spatial mappingof the space-time streams to transmit chains, inverse Fourier Transform(iFT) computation, Cyclic Prefix (CP) insertion to create a GuardInterval (GI), and the like.

The RF transceiver 240 includes an RF transmitter 242 and an RF receiver244. The RF transceiver 240 is configured to transmit first informationreceived from the baseband processor 210 to the WLAN, and provide secondinformation received from the WLAN to the baseband processor 210.

The antenna unit 250 includes one or more antennas. When Multiple-InputMultiple-Output (MIMO) or Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) is used, the antennaunit 250 may include a plurality of antennas. In an embodiment, theantennas in the antenna unit 250 may operate as a beam-formed antennaarray. In an embodiment, the antennas in the antenna unit 250 may bedirectional antennas, which may be fixed or steerable.

The input interfaces 234 receive information from a user, and the outputinterfaces 236 output information to the user. The input interfaces 234may include one or more of a keyboard, keypad, mouse, touchscreen, touchscreen, microphone, and the like. The output interfaces 236 may includeone or more of a display device, touch screen, speaker, and the like.

As described herein, many functions of the WLAN device 200 may beimplemented in either hardware or software. Which functions areimplemented in software and which functions are implemented in hardwarewill vary according to constraints imposed on a design. The constraintsmay include one or more of design cost, manufacturing cost, time tomarket, power consumption, available semiconductor technology, and soon.

As described herein, a wide variety of electronic devices, circuits,firmware, software, and combinations thereof may be used to implementthe functions of the components of the WLAN device 200. Furthermore, theWLAN device 200 may include other components, such as applicationprocessors, storage interfaces, clock generator circuits, power supplycircuits, and the like, which have been omitted in the interest ofbrevity.

FIG. 3A illustrates components of a wireless device configured totransmit data according to an embodiment, including a Transmitting (Tx)Signal Processing Unit (TxSP) 324, an RF transmitter 342, and an antenna352. In an embodiment, the TxSP 324, the RF transmitter 342, and theantenna 352 correspond to the transmitting signal processing unit 224,the RF transmitter 242, and an antenna of the antenna unit 250 of FIG.2, respectively.

The TxSP 324 includes an encoder 300, an interleaver 302, a mapper 304,an inverse Fourier transformer (IFT) 306, and a guard interval (GI)inserter 308.

The encoder 300 receives and encodes input data. In an embodiment, theencoder 300 includes a forward error correction (FEC) encoder. The FECencoder may include a binary convolutional code (BCC) encoder followedby a puncturing device. The FEC encoder may include a low-densityparity-check (LDPC) encoder.

The TxSP 324 may further include a scrambler for scrambling the inputdata before the encoding is performed by the encoder 300 to reduce theprobability of long sequences of 0s or 1s. When the encoder 300 performsthe BCC encoding, the TxSP 324 may further include an encoder parser fordemultiplexing the scrambled bits among a plurality of BCC encoders. IfLDPC encoding is used in the encoder, the TxSP 324 may not use theencoder parser.

The interleaver 302 interleaves the bits of each stream output from theencoder 300 to change an order of bits therein. The interleaver 302 mayapply the interleaving only when the encoder 300 performs the BCCencoding, and otherwise may output the stream output from the encoder300 without changing the order of the bits therein.

The mapper 304 maps the sequence of bits output from the interleaver 302to constellation points. If the encoder 300 performed LDPC encoding, themapper 304 may also perform LDPC tone mapping in addition to theconstellation mapping.

When the TxSP 324 performs a MIMO or MU-MIMO transmission, the TxSP 324may include a plurality of interleavers 302 and a plurality of mappers304 according to a number NSS of spatial streams of the transmission.The TxSP 324 may further include a stream parser for dividing the outputof the encoder 300 into blocks and may respectively send the blocks todifferent interleavers 302 or mappers 304. The TxSP 324 may furtherinclude a space-time block code (STBC) encoder for spreading theconstellation points from the spatial streams into a number NSTS ofspace-time streams and a spatial mapper for mapping the space-timestreams to transmit chains. The spatial mapper may use direct mapping,spatial expansion, or beamforming.

The IFT 306 converts a block of the constellation points output from themapper 304 (or, when MIMO or MU-MIMO is performed, the spatial mapper)to a time domain block (i.e., a symbol) by using an inverse discreteFourier transform (IDFT) or an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). Ifthe STBC encoder and the spatial mapper are used, the IIFT 306 may beprovided for each transmit chain.

When the TxSP 324 performs a MIMO or MU-MIMO transmission, the TxSP 324may insert cyclic shift diversities (CSDs) to prevent unintentionalbeamforming. The TxSP 324 may perform the insertion of the CSD before orafter the IFT 306. The CSD may be specified per transmit chain or may bespecified per space-time stream. Alternatively, the CSD may be appliedas a part of the spatial mapper.

When the TxSP 324 performs a MIMO or MU-MIMO transmission, some blocksbefore the spatial mapper may be provided for each user.

The GI inserter 308 prepends a GI to each symbol produced by the IFT306. Each GI may include a Cyclic Prefix (CP) corresponding to arepeated portion of the end of the symbol the GI precedes. The TxSP 324may optionally perform windowing to smooth edges of each symbol afterinserting the GI.

The RF transmitter 342 converts the symbols into an RF signal andtransmits the RF signal via the antenna 352. When the TxSP 324 performsa MIMO or MU-MIMO transmission, the GI inserter 308 and the RFtransmitter 342 may be provided for each transmit chain.

FIG. 3B illustrates components of a wireless device configured toreceive data according to an embodiment, including a Receiver (Rx)Signal Processing Unit (RxSP) 326, an RF receiver 344, and an antenna354. In an embodiment, the RxSP 326, RF receiver 344, and antenna 354may correspond to the receiving signal processing unit 226, the RFreceiver 244, and an antenna of the antenna unit 250 of FIG. 2,respectively.

The RxSP 326 includes a GI remover 318, a Fourier transformer (FT) 316,a demapper 314, a deinterleaver 312, and a decoder 310.

The RF receiver 344 receives an RF signal via the antenna 354 andconverts the RF signal into symbols. The GI remover 318 removes the GIfrom each of the symbols. When the received transmission is a MIMO orMU-MIMO transmission, the RF receiver 344 and the GI remover 318 may beprovided for each receive chain.

The FT 316 converts each symbol (that is, each time domain block) into afrequency domain block of constellation points by using a discreteFourier transform (DFT) or a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The FT 316may be provided for each receive chain.

When the received transmission is the MIMO or MU-MIMO transmission, theRxSP 326 may include a spatial demapper for converting the respectiveoutputs of the FTs 316 of the receiver chains to constellation points ofa plurality of space-time streams, and an STBC decoder for despreadingthe constellation points from the space-time streams into one or morespatial streams.

The demapper 314 demaps the constellation points output from the FT 316or the STBC decoder to bit streams. If the received transmission wasencoded using the LDPC encoding, the demapper 314 may further performLDPC tone demapping before performing the constellation demapping.

The deinterleaver 312 deinterleaves the bits of each stream output fromthe demapper 314. The deinterleaver 312 may perform the deinterleavingonly when the received transmission was encoded using the BCC encoding,and otherwise may output the stream output by the demapper 314 withoutperforming deinterleaving.

When the received transmission is the MIMO or MU-MIMO transmission, theRxSP 326 may use a plurality of demappers 314 and a plurality ofdeinterleavers 312 corresponding to the number of spatial streams of thetransmission. In this case, the RxSP 326 may further include a streamdeparser for combining the streams output from the deinterleavers 312.

The decoder 310 decodes the streams output from the deinterleaver 312 orthe stream deparser. In an embodiment, the decoder 312 includes an FECdecoder. The FEC decoder may include a BCC decoder or an LDPC decoder.

The RxSP 326 may further include a descrambler for descrambling thedecoded data. When the decoder 310 performs the BCC decoding, the RxSP326 may further include an encoder deparser for multiplexing the datadecoded by a plurality of BCC decoders. When the decoder 310 performsthe LDPC decoding, the RxSP 326 may not use the encoder deparser.

FIG. 4A illustrates an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access(OFDMA) frame 400 according to an embodiment. The OFDMA frame 400 may bea Down-Link (DL) Multi-User (MU) OFDMA frame transmitted by the AP 102or an Up-Link (UL) MU OFDMA frame transmitted by a one or more of thestations STA1 to STA4 of the WLAN BSS 100 of FIG. 1. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 4, the OFDMA frame 400 is transmitted used a 20 MHZbandwidth, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Embodiments of theOFDMA frame 400 may be transmitted using any of a 40 MHz bandwidth, an80 MHz bandwidth, an 80+80 MHz bandwidth, and a 160 MHz bandwidth.

The OFDMA frame 400 includes one or more data payloads, represented byfirst, second, and third data payloads 410, 412, and 414 respectively.The data payloads 410, 412, and 414 may be intended for respectivefirst, second, and third stations.

A bandwidth of the OFDMA frame 400 is divided into one or more ResourceUnits (RUs), and each of the data payloads 410, 412, and 414 isallocated one or more of the RUs. In an embodiment, an RU is allocatedto no more than one data payload.

The OFDMA frame 400 may further include a High Efficient (HE) Signal A(HE-SIG-A) field 402, an HE Signal B (HE-SIG-B) field 404, an HE ShortTraining Field (HE-STF) 406, and an HE Long Training Field (HE-LTF) 408.

The HE-SIG-A field 402 may include information for interpreting theOFDMA frame 400. The HE-SIG-B field 404, when present, may includeinformation concerning the allocation of Resource Units (RUs) within theOFDMA frame 400 and may include information used by specific stations(STAs) to decode respective payloads intended for them. The HE-STF 406may include information for use in automatic gain control in a devicereceiving the OFDMA frame 400.

The HE-LTF 408 includes information for estimating a channel between aWLAN device transmitting the OFDMA frame 400 and a WLAN device receivingthe OFDMA frame 400. The information in the HE-LTF 408 may also be usedby the receiving WLAN device to track phase and frequency offsets. In anembodiment, the OFDMA frame 400 includes a plurality of HE-LTFs 408.

Pilots exist in OFDM symbols of the data payloads 410, 412, and 414 andthe symbols of the HE-LTF 408. The pilots in the HE-LTF 408 may be usedto compensate for CFO drift and to reduce channel estimation error fortransmissions having a high number of spatial streams.

802.11ax systems may support a first type and a second type of HE-LTFOFDM symbols. The first type may have a same number of subcarriers (i.e.tones) as data/pilot subcarriers. The second type may have approximatelyhalf of the number of information-carrying subcarriers (that is,carriers with energy) as data/pilot subcarriers. The first type ofHE-LTF may be denoted as a 4× HE-LTF design and the second type ofHE-LTF (with approximately half of the number of information-carryingsubcarriers) may be denoted as a 2× HE-LTF design.

In an embodiment of the second type of HE-LTF, information is carried inevery even tone, except for the DC tones. In another embodiment of thesecond type of HE-LTF, information is carried in every odd tone, exceptfor the DC tones.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, the HE-LTF 408 includes a 2× HE-LTF408-2× according to the 2×LTF design. The 2× HE-LTF 408-2× includes anOFDM symbol 422 and a Guard Interval (GI) 424. The OFDM symbol 422 mayhave a duration of 6.4 microseconds.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the OFDM symbol 422 of the 2× HE-LTF 408-2× mayhave an even mapping, that is, the OFDM symbol 422 only carryinformation in even-numbered tones (other than DC tones) within abandwidth of the OFDM symbol 422, that is, tones having an index equalto 2n, where n is an integer. Arrows such as an arrow 430 indicate tonesof the OFDM symbol 422 that may carry information. Tones without anarrow do not carry information.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the OFDM symbol 422 of the 2× HE-LTF 408-2× mayhave an odd mapping, that is, the OFDM symbol 422 may only carryinformation in odd-numbered tones (other than DC tones) within abandwidth of the OFDM symbol 422, that is, tones having an index equalto 2n+1, where n is an integer. Arrows such as an arrow 432 indicatetones of the OFDM symbol 422 that may carry information. Tones withoutan arrow do not carry information.

In another embodiment, the HE-LTF 408 includes a 4× HE-LTF 408-4×according to the 4×LTF design. The 4× HE-LTF 408-4× includes an OFDMsymbol 426 and a Guard Interval (GI) 428. The OFDM symbol 426 may have aduration of 12.8 microseconds.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the OFDM symbol 426 of the 2× HE-LTF 408-4× maycarry information in all tones (other than DC tones) within a bandwidthof the OFDM symbol 426. Arrows such as an arrow 434 indicate tones ofthe OFDM symbol 426 that may carry information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods of providingpilots that support same and different FFT sizes for HE-LTF and datapayload OFDM symbols.

In OFDMA operations, the operational bandwidth is divided up intoresource units (RUs). There may be different RU sizes within theoperational bandwidth, each RU size including a different number ofsubcarriers (i.e. tones). Examples of possible RUs for variousbandwidths are shown in FIGS. 5A, 6, 7, 8A, and 9, described below.Depending on how the RUs are defined, RUs may start with an evennumbered subcarrier (that is, RUs may be even RUs) or an odd numberedsubcarrier (that is, RUs may be odd RUs).

FIG. 5A illustrates RUs definitions in a 20 MHz bandwidth 500 accordingto an embodiment. Within the 20 MHz bandwidth 500 may be defined firstto ninth 26-subcarrier RUs 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, and518. Within the 20 MHz bandwidth 500 may be also defined first to fourth52-subcarrier RUs 522, 524, 526 and 528. A 242-subcarrier RU 540 mayalso be defined within the 20 MHz bandwidth 500.

In an embodiment, first and second 106-subcarrier RUs 532 and 534 may bedefined in the 20 MHz bandwidth 500. In another embodiment, first andsecond 108-subcarrier RUs 536 and 538 may be defined in the 20 MHzbandwidth 500.

FIG. 5B includes a Table 1 indicating the size and lowest and highestsubcarrier (SC) indexes of the RUs that may be defined in the 20 MHzbandwidth 500. Table 1 also indicates whether an RU is considered an oddRU (that is, one that has a lowest SC index that is an odd integer) oran even RU (that is, one that has a lowest SC index that is an eveninteger.) Odd and even RUs are also indicated in FIG. 5A.

The fifth 26-subcarrier RU 510, at the center of the 20 MHz bandwidth500, is not to be considered an odd RU or an even RU.

FIG. 6 illustrates RUs definitions in a 40 MHz bandwidth 600 accordingto an embodiment. Within the 40 MHz bandwidth 600 may be defined firstto eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616,618, 642, 644, 646, 648, 650, 652, 654, 656, and 658. Also defined maybe first to eighth 62-subcarrier RUs 622, 624, 626, 628, 662, 664, 666and 668. First and second 242-subcarrier RUs 640 and 680 and a484-subcarrier RU 682 may also be defined within the 40 MHz bandwidth600.

In an embodiment, first to fourth second 106-subcarrier RUs 632, 634,662 and 664 may be defined in the 40 MHz bandwidth 600. In anotherembodiment, first to fourth 108-subcarrier RUs 636, 638, 666, and 668may be defined in the 40 MHz bandwidth 600.

In an embodiment, lowest and highest SC indexes of the RUs 602 to 638 ofFIG. 6 are the same, within a first 20 MHz subchannel of the 40 MHzbandwidth 600, as the lowest and highest SC indexes of the similarlynumbered RUs 502 to 538 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. Lowest andhighest SC indexes of the RUs 642 to 668 of FIG. 6 are the same, withina second 20 MHz subchannel of the 40 MHz bandwidth 600, as the lowestand highest SC indexes of the corresponding RUs 502 to 538 of FIGS. 5Aand 5B, respectively.

The odd and even RUs of the 40 MHz bandwidth 600 are indicated by labelsof the RUs.

Within this disclosure, the definitions of the RUs illustrated in FIGS.5A and 6 are denoted as case 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates RUs defined within an 80 MHZ bandwidth 700. Thedefined RUs include thirty-six 26-subcarrier RUs 702 to 721 and 742 to761, sixteen 52-subcarrier RUs 722 to 729 and 762 to 769, four242-subcarrier RUs 740, 741, 780, and 781, two 484-subcarrier RUs 782and 783, and a 996-subcarrier RU 784.

The defined RUs in the 80 MHZ bandwidth 700 also include eight RUs thatmay be 106-subcarrier RUs in an embodiment or 108-subcarrier RUs inanother embodiment. The eight 106-or-108-subcarrier RUs are designatedby reference characters 732 to 735 and 772 to 775.

FIGS. 8A and 9 illustrate alternative RU definitions for 20 and 40 MHzbandwidths, respectively. Within this disclosure, the definitions of theRUs illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 9 are denoted as case 2.

FIG. 8A illustrates RUs definitions in a 20 MHz bandwidth 800 accordingto another embodiment. Within the 20 MHz bandwidth 800 are defined firstto ninth 26-subcarrier RUs 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 814, 816, and818. Also defined are first to fourth 52-subcarrier RUs 822, 824, 826and 828. A 242-subcarrier RU 840 may also be defined within the 20 MHzbandwidth 800.

In an embodiment, first and second 106-subcarrier RUs 832 and 834 may bedefined in the 20 MHz bandwidth 800. In another embodiment, first andsecond 108-subcarrier RUs 836 and 838 may be defined in the 20 MHzbandwidth 800.

FIG. 8B includes a Table 2 indicating the size and lowest and highestsubcarrier (SC) indexes of the RUs that may be defined in the 20 MHzbandwidth 800. Table 1 also indicates whether an RU is considered an oddRU (that is, one that has a lowest SC index that is an odd integer) oran even RU (that is, one that has a lowest SC index that is an eveninteger.) Odd and even RUs are also indicated in FIG. 8A.

The fifth 26-subcarrier RU 810, at the center of the 20 MHz bandwidth800, is not to be considered an odd RU or an even RU.

FIG. 9 illustrates RUs definitions in a 40 MHz bandwidth 900 accordingto another embodiment. Within the 40 MHz bandwidth 900 are defined firstto eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 902, 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, 914, 916,918, 942, 944, 946, 948, 950, 952, 954, 956, and 958. Also defined arefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 922, 924, 926, 928, 962, 964, 966 and968. First and second 242-subcarrier RUs 940 and 980 and a484-subcarrier RU 982 may also be defined within the 40 MHz bandwidth900.

In an embodiment, first to fourth second 106-subcarrier RUs 932, 934,962 and 964 may be defined in the 40 MHz bandwidth 900. In anotherembodiment, first to fourth 108-subcarrier RUs 936, 938, 966, and 968may be defined in the 40 MHz bandwidth 900.

In an embodiment, lowest and highest SC indexes of the RUs 902 to 938 ofFIG. 9 are the same, within a first 20 MHz subchannel of the 40 MHzbandwidth 900, as the lowest and highest SC indexes of the similarlynumbered RUs 802 to 838 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively. Lowest andhighest SC indexes of the RUs 942 to 968 of FIG. 9 are the same, withina second 20 MHz subchannel of the 40 MHz bandwidth 900, as the lowestand highest SC indexes of the corresponding RUs 802 to 838 of FIGS. 8Aand 8B, respectively.

The odd and even RUs of the 40 MHz bandwidth 900 are indicated by labelsof the RUs.

1. Pilot Tone Mapping Symmetry Between Even and Odd Resource Units

In an embodiment, even and odd RUs may have pilot tone positions thatexhibit mirror symmetry. FIG. 10 illustrates positions of pilot tonepositions in an even RU 1000 according to an embodiment. FIG. 11illustrates positions of pilot tone positions in an odd RU 1100according to an embodiment, the positions of the pilot tone positions inthe odd RU 1100 having mirror symmetry relative to the positions of thepilot tone positions of the even RU 1000. The even RU 1000 and the oddRU 1100 have a same size, that is, a same number (26) of subcarriers.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, hash marks along the horizontal access correspond toodd subcarriers that respectively do not correspond to subcarriershaving energy of a 2× HE-LTF. Upward pointing arrows along thehorizontal access respectively correspond to even subcarriers thatcorrespond to the subcarriers having energy of the 2× HE-LTF.

The even RU 1000 includes first and second pilot tone positions 1004 and1006. The first pilot tone position 1004 corresponds to a subcarrierspaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the evenRU 1000. The second pilot tone position 1006 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 11 subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1004 andspaced 7 subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the evenRU 1000.

The odd RU 1100 includes third and fourth pilot tone positions 1104 and1106 which are mirror-symmetric to the first and second pilot tonepositions 1004 and 1006, respectively. Accordingly, the third pilot toneposition 1104 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away froma highest-indexed subcarrier of the odd RU 1100. The fourth pilot toneposition 1106 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the third pilot tone position 1104 and spaced 7 subcarriers awayfrom a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the odd RU 1100.

This produces mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between an even RUand an odd RU of the same size, when the even RU and the odd RU areadjacent to each other.

2. Nested and Non-Nested Pilot Structure

In an embodiment, pilot tone positions may have a nested pilotstructure. In another embodiment, pilot tone positions may have anon-nested pilot structure.

In the nested pilot structure, for a given operation bandwidth (such as40 MHz or 80 MHz) the pilot tone positions for RUs having larger numberof subcarriers are physically aligned (in frequency domain) with pilottone positions for RUs having smaller numbers of subcarriers. The nestedpilot structure may simplify a Carrier Frequency Offset (CFO) trackingalgorithm of a receiver configured to receive frames including RUallocations having varied sizes and varied positions.

In the non-nested pilot structure, pilot tone positions are defined foreach RU size in such a manner as to maximize CFO tracking performance.The non-nested pilot structure may have a uniform spacing of pilotswithin an RU.

3. Design A: Non-Nested Pilot Structure

In embodiment according to a design-A principle having a non-nestedpilot structure, cases may occur in which pilots are mapped to locationsthat correspond to null tones (that is, tones not carrying information)of a 2× HE-LTF, since information in the 2× HE-LTF sequence is onlymapped to either even or odd tones in a given OFDM symbol.

Embodiments of the design-A principle include alternative 1 andalternative 2. Alternative 1 defines the pilot tone positions such thatthe pilot tone positions never correspond to locations of null tones ofan HE-LTF OFDM symbol.

Alternative 2 defines the pilot tone positions such that pilot spacingis uniform, without regards to whether the pilot tone positionscorrespond to locations of null tones of the HE-LTF OFDM symbol. As aresult, an HE-LTF OFDM symbol according to Alternative 2 of Design A maylack one or more pilots present in the data payload OFDM symbols.

4. Design A, Alternative 1: Pilots are not Mapped to Null LTF Tones

FIGS. 10 and 11 both illustrates a general concept for embodiments ofalternative 1 of Design-A. In order to ensure that pilots are alwaysmapped to non-null tones of an HE-LTF of the 2×LTF design, the tonespacing between two consecutive pilot tone positions (that is, thenumber of tones/subcarriers between two consecutive pilot tonepositions) should be an odd number.

Accordingly in FIG. 10 the second pilot tone position 1006 correspondsto a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriers from the first pilot toneposition 1004, and in FIG. 11 the third pilot tone position 1104corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriers from the fourthpilot tone position 1106. That is, the tone spacing between the pilottone positions in each of FIGS. 10 and 11 is 11 subcarriers.

This ensures that pilot tone positions are mapped to 2× HE-LTF sequencemapping positions (i.e. subcarriers that carry information in a 2×LTFdesign).

In all of FIGS. 12-22, the upward arrows extending from the horizontalaxis represents subcarriers corresponding to potential 2× HE-LTFsequence mapping positions from the 2×LTF design, and the hash marks onthe axis represent subcarriers that do not corresponding to potential 2×HE-LTF sequence mapping positions from the 2×LTF design. The dash-dottedlines on the most left and right part of the figure represent theboundaries of the RU.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate RUs having a spacing between pilot subcarrierpositions of 13 subcarriers according to an embodiment of alternative 1of Design A.

In an embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an even tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 12 illustratespilot tone positions for an even 26-subcarrier RU 1200, and FIG. 13illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 26-subcarrier RU 1300.

In the embodiment including the even tone mapping of the HE-LTFsequence, a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the even RU 1200 is equal to2n, and a lowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the odd RU 1300 is equal to2n+1, where n is an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrierindex f₀ of either of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of −122, −68, +16, and+70 when even and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd. In anembodiment for 20 MHz bandwidth, the lowest subcarrier index f₀ ofeither of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of −68, −42, +70, and +96 wheneven and one of −121, −95, +17, and +43 when odd. In an embodiment for40 MHz bandwidth, the lowest subcarrier index f₀ of either of RU 1200and 1300 may be one of −136, 4, 30, 58, 84, 138, 164, 192, and 218 wheneven and one of −243, −217, −189, −163, −109, −83, −55, −29, and 111when odd. In an embodiment for 80 MHz bandwidth, the lowest subcarrierindex f₀ of either of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of −392, −150, +18,+44, +72, +98, +152, +178, +206, +232, +260, +286, +314, +340, +394,+420, +448, and +474 when even and one of −499, −473, −445, −419, −365,−339, −311, −285, −257, −231, −203, −177, −123, −97, −69, −43, +125, and+367 when odd. In an embodiment for 160 MHz bandwidth, the lowestsubcarrier index f₀ of either of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of −1011,−985, −957, −931, −877, −851, −823, −797, −769, −743, −715, −689, −635,−609, −581, −555, −387, −145, +13, +39, +67, +93, +147, +173, +201,+227, +255, +281, +309, +335, +389, +415, +443, +469, +637, and +879when even and one of −904, −662, −494, −468, −440, −414, −360, −334,−306, −280, −252, −226, −198, −172, −118, −92, −64, −38, +120, +362,+530, +556, +584, +610, +664, +690, +718, +744, +772, +798, +826, +852,+906, +932, +960, +986 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 1204 of the even RU 1200 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1200. A secondpilot tone position 1206 of the even RU 1200 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1204 and 5 subcarriersaway from a highest subcarrier of the even RU 1200. If the lowestsubcarrier of the even RU 1200 is equal to f0, two pilots are located atthe (f0+6)-th subcarrier and the (f0+20)-th subcarrier.

A first pilot tone position 1304 of the odd RU 1300 is spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 1300. A secondpilot tone position 1306 of the odd RU 1300 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1304 and 6 subcarriersaway from a highest subcarrier of the odd RU 1300. If the lowestsubcarrier of the even RU 1200 is equal to f0, two pilots are located atthe (f0+5)-th subcarrier and the (f0+19)-th subcarrier.

In another embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an oddtone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 12illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 26-subcarrier RU, and FIG.13 illustrates pilot tone positions for an even 26-subcarrier RUs.

In the embodiment including the odd tone mapping of the HE-LTF sequence,a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the odd RU 1200 is equal to 2n+1, and alowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the even RU 1300 is equal to 2n, where nis an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrier indexes f₀ andf₀′ of either of RU 1200 and 1300 is one of −122, −68, +16, and +70 wheneven and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 1204 of the odd RU 1200 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 1200. A secondpilot tone position 1206 of the odd RU 1200 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1204 and spaced 5subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier of the odd RU 1200.

A first pilot tone position 1304 of the even RU 1300 is spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1300. A secondpilot tone position 1306 of the even RU 1300 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1304 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier of the even RU 1300.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate RUs having a spacing between pilot subcarrierpositions of 11 subcarriers according to an embodiment of alternative 1of Design A.

In an embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an even tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 14 illustratespilot tone positions for an even 26-subcarrier RU 1400, and FIG. 15illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 26-subcarrier RU 1500.

In the embodiment including the even tone mapping of the HE-LTFsequence, a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the even RU 1400 is equal to2n, and a lowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the odd RU 1500 is equal to2n+1, where n is an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrierindexes f₀ and f₀′ of either of RU 1400 and 1500 is one of −122, −68,+16, and +70 when even and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 1404 of the even RU 1400 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1400. A secondpilot tone position 1406 of the even RU 1400 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1404 and spaced 7subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier of the even RU 1400.

A first pilot tone position 1504 of the odd RU 1500 is spaced 7subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 1500. A secondpilot tone position 1506 of the odd RU 1500 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1504 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier of the odd RU 1500.

In another embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an oddtone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 14illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 26-subcarrier RU, and FIG.15 illustrates pilot tone positions for an even 26-subcarrier RUs.

In the embodiment including the odd tone mapping of the HE-LTF sequence,a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the odd RU 1400 is equal to 2n+1, and alowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the even RU 1500 is equal to 2n, where nis an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrier indexes f₀ andf₀′ of either of RU 1400 and 1500 is one of −122, −68, +16, and +70 wheneven and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 1404 of the odd RU 1400 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 1400. A secondpilot tone position 1406 of the odd RU 1400 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1404 and spaced 7subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier of the odd RU 1400.

A first pilot tone position 1504 of the even RU 1500 is spaced 7subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1500. A secondpilot tone position 1506 of the even RU 1500 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1504 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier of the even RU 1500.

FIG. 16 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU 1600 according to anembodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an even tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design. The center RU 1600 issplit into a left 13-subcarrier unit and a right 13-subcarrier unit byone of 3, 5, and 7 Direct Current (DC) tones within a central portion1602.

When the center RU 1600 includes 3 DC tones, a lowest subcarrier indexf₀ of the left 13-subcarrier unit may be −14 and a lowest subcarrierindex f₁ of the right 13-subcarrier unit may be +2. When the center RU1600 includes 5 DC tones, the left lowest subcarrier index f₀ may be −15and the right lowest subcarrier index f₁ of the center RU 1600 may be+3. When the center RU 1600 includes 7 DC tones, the left lowestsubcarrier index f₀ may be −16 and the right lowest subcarrier index f₁of the center RU 1600 may be +4.

A first pilot tone position 1604 of the center RU 1600 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the center RU 1600 and 6subcarriers away from the central portion 1602. A second pilot toneposition 1606 of the center RU 1600 is spaced 6 subcarriers away from ahighest subcarrier of the center RU 1600 and 6 subcarriers away from thecentral portion 1602. Two pilots are located at the (f0+6)-th subcarrierand the (f1+6)-th subcarrier.

The first pilot tone position 1604 is located at a center of 13subcarriers of a left portion of the center RU 1600. The second pilottone position 1606 is located at a center of 13 subcarriers of a rightportion of the center RU 1600.

FIG. 17 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU 1700 according to anembodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an odd tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design. The center RU 1700 mayinclude one of 3, 5, and 7 Direct Current (DC) tones within a centralportion 1702.

When the center RU 1700 includes 3 DC tones, a left lowest subcarrierindex f₀ may be −14 and a right lowest subcarrier index f₁ of the centerRU 1700 may be +2. When the center RU 1700 includes 5 DC tones, the leftlowest subcarrier index f₀ may be −15 and the right lowest subcarrierindex f₁ of the center RU 1700 may be +3. When the center RU 1700includes 7 DC tones, the left lowest subcarrier index f₀ may be −16 andthe right lowest subcarrier index f₁ of the center RU 1700 may be +4.

A first pilot tone position 1704 of the center RU 1700 is spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1700 and 7subcarriers away from the central portion 1702. A second pilot toneposition 1706 of the center RU 1700 is spaced 5 subcarriers away from ahighest subcarrier of the center RU 1700 and 7 subcarriers away from thecentral portion 1702.

FIG. 18 illustrates a center 26-subcarrier RU 1800 according to anembodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an odd tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design. The center RU 1800 mayinclude one of 3, 5, and 7 Direct Current (DC) tones within a centralportion 1802.

When the center RU 1800 includes 3 DC tones, a left lowest subcarrierindex f₀ may be −14 and a right lowest subcarrier index f₁ of the centerRU 1800 may be +2. When the center RU 1800 includes 5 DC tones, the leftlowest subcarrier index f₀ may be −15 and the right lowest subcarrierindex f₁ of the center RU 1800 may be +3. When the center RU 1800includes 7 DC tones, the left lowest subcarrier index f₀ may be −16 andthe right lowest subcarrier index f₁ of the center RU 1800 may be +4.

A first pilot tone position 1804 of the center RU 1800 is spaced 7subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1800 and 5subcarriers away from the central portion 1802. A second pilot toneposition 1806 of the center RU 1800 is spaced 7 subcarriers away from ahighest subcarrier of the center RU 1800 and 5 subcarriers away from thecentral portion 1802.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate 52-subchannel RUs having a spacing betweenfirst, second, third, and fourth pilot subcarrier positions of 13, 11,and 13 subcarriers, respectively, according to an embodiment ofalternative 1 of Design A.

In an embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an even tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 19 illustratespilot tone positions for an even 52-subcarrier RU 1900, and FIG. 20illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 52-subcarrier RU 2000.

In the embodiment including the even tone mapping of the HE-LTFsequence, a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the even RU 1900 is equal to2n, and a lowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the odd RU 2000 is equal to2n+1, where n is an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrierindexes f₀ and f₀′ of either of RU 1900 and 2000 is one of −122, −68,+16, and +70 when even and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd. In anembodiment for 20 MHz bandwidth, the lowest subcarrier index f₀ ofeither of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of −68 and +70 when even and oneof −121 and +17 when odd. In an embodiment for 40 MHz bandwidth, thelowest subcarrier index f₀ of either of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of4, 58, 138, and 192 when even and one of −243, −189, −109, and −55 whenodd. In an embodiment for 80 MHz bandwidth, the lowest subcarrier indexf₀ of either of RU 1200 and 1300 may be one of +18, +72, +152, +206,+260, +314, +394 and +448 when even and one of −499, −445, −365, −311,−257, −203, −123 and −69 when odd. In an embodiment for the 160 MHzbandwidth, the lowest subcarrier index f₀ of either of RU 1200 and 1300may be one of −494, −440, −360, −306, −252, −198, −118, −64, +530, +584,+664, +718, +772, +826, +906 and +960 when even and one of −1011, −957,−877, −823, −769, −715, −635, −581, +13, +67, +147, +201, +255, +309,+389 and +443 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 1904 of the even RU 1900 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 1900. A secondpilot tone position 1906 of the even RU 1900 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1904. A third pilot toneposition 1908 of the even RU 1900 is separated by 11 subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position 1906. A fourth pilot tone position 1910of the even RU 1900 is separated by 13 subcarriers from the third pilottone position 1908 and spaced 5 subcarriers away from a highestsubcarrier of the even RU 1900. If the lowest subcarrier of the even RU1900 is equal to f₀, four pilots are located at the (f₀+6)-thsubcarrier, the (f₀+20)-th subcarrier, the (f₀+32)-th subcarrier and the(f₀+46)-th subcarrier, respectively.

A first pilot tone position 2004 of the odd RU 2000 is spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 2000. A secondpilot tone position 2006 of the odd RU 2000 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 2004. A third pilot toneposition 2008 of the odd RU 2000 is separated by 11 subcarriers from thesecond pilot tone position 2006. A fourth pilot tone position 2010 ofthe odd RU 2000 is separated by 13 subcarriers from the third pilot toneposition 2008 and spaced 6 subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier ofthe odd RU 2000. If the lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 1900 is equal tof₀′, four pilots are located at the (f₀′+6)-th subcarrier, the(f₀′+20)-th subcarrier, the (f₀′+32)-th subcarrier and the (f₀′+46)-thsubcarrier, respectively.

In another embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an oddtone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 19illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 52-subcarrier RU 1900, andFIG. 20 illustrates pilot tone positions for an even 52-subcarrier RU2000.

In the embodiment including the odd tone mapping of the HE-LTF sequence,a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the odd RU 1900 is equal to 2n+1, and alowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the even RU 2000 is equal to 2n, where nis an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrier indexes f₀ andf₀′ of either of RU 1900 and 2000 is one of −122, −68, +16, and +70 wheneven and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 1904 of the odd RU 1900 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 1900. A secondpilot tone position 1906 of the odd RU 1900 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 1904. A third pilot toneposition 1908 of the odd RU 1900 is separated by 11 subcarriers from thesecond pilot tone position 1906. A fourth pilot tone position 1910 ofthe odd RU 1900 is separated by 13 subcarriers from the third pilot toneposition 1908 and spaced 5 subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier ofthe odd RU 1900.

A first pilot tone position 2004 of the even RU 2000 is spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 2000. A secondpilot tone position 2006 of the even RU 2000 is separated by 13subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 2004. A third pilot toneposition 2008 of the even RU 2000 is separated by 11 subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position 2006. A fourth pilot tone position 2010of the even RU 2000 is separated by 13 subcarriers from the third pilottone position 2008 and spaced 6 subcarriers away from a highestsubcarrier of the even RU 2000.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate 52-subchannel RUs having a spacing betweenfirst, second, third, and fourth pilot subcarrier positions of 11, 13,and 11 subcarriers, respectively, according to an embodiment ofalternative 1 of Design A.

In an embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an even tonemapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 21 illustratespilot tone positions for an even 52-subcarrier RU 2100, and FIG. 22illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 52-subcarrier RU 2200.

In the embodiment including the even tone mapping of the HE-LTFsequence, a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the even RU 2100 is equal to2n, and a lowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the odd RU 2200 is equal to2n+1, where n is an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrierindex f₀ of either of RU 2100 and 2200 is one of −122, −68, +16, and +70when even and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 2104 of the even RU 2100 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 2100. A secondpilot tone position 2106 of the even RU 2100 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 2104. A third pilot toneposition 2108 of the even RU 2100 is separated by 13 subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position 2106. A fourth pilot tone position 2110of the even RU 2100 is separated by 11 subcarriers from the third pilottone position 2108 and spaced 7 subcarriers away from a highestsubcarrier of the even RU 2100.

A first pilot tone position 2204 of the odd RU 2200 is spaced 7subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 2200. A secondpilot tone position 2206 of the odd RU 2200 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 2204. A third pilot toneposition 2208 of the odd RU 2200 is separated by 13 subcarriers from thesecond pilot tone position 2206. A fourth pilot tone position 2210 ofthe odd RU 2200 is separated by 11 subcarriers from the third pilot toneposition 2208 and spaced 6 subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier ofthe odd RU 2200.

In another embodiment of alternative 1 of design A that includes an oddtone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, FIG. 21illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd 52-subcarrier RU, and FIG.22 illustrates pilot tone positions for an even 52-subcarrier RUs.

In the embodiment including the odd tone mapping of the HE-LTF sequence,a lowest subcarrier index f₀ of the odd RU 2100 is equal to 2n+1, and alowest subcarrier index f₀′ of the even RU 2200 is equal to 2n, where nis an integer. In an embodiment, the lowest subcarrier indexes f₀ andf₀′ of either of RU 2100 and 2200 is one of −122, −68, +16, and +70 wheneven and one of −95, −41, +43, and +97 when odd.

A first pilot tone position 2104 of the odd RU 2100 is spaced 6subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the odd RU 2100. A secondpilot tone position 2106 of the odd RU 2100 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 2104. A third pilot toneposition 2108 of the odd RU 2100 is separated by 13 subcarriers from thesecond pilot tone position 2106. A fourth pilot tone position 2110 ofthe odd RU 2100 is separated by 11 subcarriers from the third pilot toneposition 2108 and spaced 7 subcarriers away from a highest subcarrier ofthe odd RU 2100.

A first pilot tone position 2204 of the even RU 2200 is spaced 7subcarriers away from a lowest subcarrier of the even RU 2200. A secondpilot tone position 2206 of the even RU 2200 is separated by 11subcarriers from the first pilot tone position 2204. A third pilot toneposition 2208 of the even RU 2200 is separated by 13 subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position 2206. A fourth pilot tone position 2210of the even RU 2200 is separated by 11 subcarriers from the third pilottone position 2208 and spaced 6 subcarriers away from a highestsubcarrier of the even RU 2200.

FIG. 23 includes a Table 3 that indicates pilot tone positions for sixembodiments of alternative 1 of design A for 106-subcarrier RUs. Theembodiments include three spacing options a, b, and c for each of twomappings (even or odd) of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design.

Table 3 includes three columns corresponding to the spacing options a,b, and c, respectively. Each column is composed of two subcolumns, i) an“EVEN/EVEN or ODD/ODD” subcolumn indicating positions in either even RUswhen an even mapping of the HE-LTF is used or odd RUs when an oddmapping of the HE-LTF is used, and ii) an “ODD/EVEN or EVEN/ODD”subcolumn indicating positions in either the even RUs when the oddmapping of the HE-LTF is used or the odd RUs when the even mapping ofthe HE-LTF is used.

In each row, each column indicates a subcarrier position (SC) of anelement (such as an edge carrier or a pilot tone) corresponding to therow and a spacing (or Gap) between the element corresponding to the rowand the element corresponding to the next row.

In each case, the edge carriers of the RU includes a lowest subcarrier(low SC) having an index of 0, and a highest subcarrier (high SC) havingan index of 105.

For a first example, in an embodiment of option a of alternative 1 ofdesign A having an even tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign, first to fourth pilots of even RUs are respectively located atindexes of +14, +40, +66, and +92, respectively. First to fourth pilotsof odd RUs are respectively located at indexes of +13, +39, +65, and+91, respectively.

In the first example, the positions of the pilot tone positions in theeven and odd RUs are mirror symmetric. That is, the spacing between thepilot tone positions and edge subcarriers, starting from the lowestsubcarrier, are 14, 25, 25, 25, and 13 in the even RUs and 13, 25, 25,25, and 14 in the odd RUs.

For a second example, in an embodiment of option b of alternative 1 ofdesign A having an odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign, first to fourth pilots of even RUs are respectively located atindexes of +15, +41, +67, and +93, respectively. First to fourth pilotsof odd RUs are respectively located at indexes of +12, +38, +64, and+90, respectively.

As in the first example, in the second example, the positions of thepilot tone positions in the even and odd RUs are mirror symmetric. Thatis, the spacing between the pilot tone positions and edge subcarriers,starting from the lowest subcarrier, are 15, 25, 25, 25, and 12 in theeven RUs and 12, 25, 25, 25, and 15 in the odd RUs.

Table 3 illustrates that in every combination of i) one of option a, b,and c, and ii) one of an even and odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequencein the 2×LTF design, the positions of the pilot tone positions in theeven and odd RUs are mirror symmetric.

FIG. 24 includes a Table 4 that indicates pilot tone positions for sixembodiments of alternative 1 of design A for 108-subcarrier RUs. Theembodiments include three spacing options a, b, and c for each of twomappings (even or odd) of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design.

Table 4 includes three columns corresponding to the spacing options a,b, and c, respectively. Each column is composed of two subcolumns, i) an“EVEN/EVEN or ODD/ODD” subcolumn indicating positions in either even RUswhen an even mapping of the HE-LTF is used or odd RUs when an oddmapping of the HE-LTF is used, and ii) an “ODD/EVEN or EVEN/ODD”subcolumn indicating positions in either the even RUs when the oddmapping of the HE-LTF is used or the odd RUs when the even mapping ofthe HE-LTF is used.

In each row, each column indicates a subcarrier position (SC) of anelement (such as an edge carrier or a pilot tone) corresponding to therow and a spacing (or Gap) between the element corresponding to the rowand the element corresponding to the next row.

In each case, the edge carriers of the RU includes a lowest subcarrier(low SC) having an index of 0, and a highest subcarrier (high SC) havingan index of 107.

For a first example, in an embodiment of option a of alternative 1 ofdesign A having an even tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign, first to sixth pilots of even RUs are respectively located atindexes of +8, +26, +44, +62, +80, and +98, respectively. First to sixthpilots of odd RUs are respectively located at indexes of +9, +27, +45,+63, +81, and +99, respectively.

In the first example, the positions of the pilot tone positions in theeven and odd RUs are mirror symmetric. That is, the spacing between thepilot tone positions and edge subcarriers, starting from the lowestsubcarrier, are 8, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, and 9 in the even RUs and 9, 17,17, 17, 17, 17, and 8 in the odd RUs.

For a second example, in an embodiment of option b of alternative 1 ofdesign A having an odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign, first to sixth pilots of even RUs are respectively located atindexes of +7, +25, +45, +61, +79, and +97, respectively. First to sixthpilots of odd RUs are respectively located at indexes of +10, +28, +46,+64, 82, and +100, respectively.

As in the first example, in the second example, the positions of thepilot tone positions in the even and odd RUs are mirror symmetric. Thatis, the spacing between the pilot tone positions and edge subcarriers,starting from the lowest subcarrier, are 7, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, and 10in the even RUs and 10, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, and 7 in the odd RUs.

Table 4 illustrates that in every combination of i) one of option a, b,and c, and ii) one of an even and odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequencein the 2×LTF design, the positions of the pilot tone positions in theeven and odd RUs are mirror symmetric.

FIG. 25 includes a Table 5 that indicates pilot tone positions for fourembodiments of alternative 1 of design A for 242-subcarrier RUs. Theembodiments include two spacing options a and b for each of two mappings(even or odd) of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design.

Table 5 includes a left set of columns for a 242-subcarrier RUs in a 20MHz bandwidth, wherein the RU is always an even RU. In the set ofcolumns for the 20 MHz channel bandwidth, three sub-columns correspondto pilot tone positions for option a for an even mapping of the HE-LTF,pilot tone positions for option b for the even mapping of the HE-LTF,and pilot tone positions for an odd mapping of the HE-LTF for bothoptions a and b, respectively.

In each row on the left side, three columns indicates respectivesubcarrier positions (SCs) of an element (such as an edge carrier or apilot tone) corresponding to the row for the spacing option and LTFmapping, and a fourth columns indicates spacing (or Gap) between theelement corresponding to the row and the element corresponding to thenext row, which does not vary between the options a and b and the LTFmapping being even or odd.

Table 5 includes a right set of columns for 242-subcarrier RUs in any ofa 40 MHz, an 80 MHz, or a 160 MHz channel bandwidth, wherein an RU canbe an even or an odd RU. Within the right set, a column is provided fora spacing option a and a spacing option b.

In the right set of columns, Each column for spacing option a orb iscomposed of two subcolumns, i) an “EVEN/EVEN or ODD/ODD” subcolumnindicating positions in either even RUs when an even mapping of theHE-LTF is used or odd RUs when an odd mapping of the HE-LTF is used, andii) an “ODD/EVEN or EVEN/ODD” subcolumn indicating positions in eitherthe even RUs when the odd mapping of the HE-LTF is used or the odd RUswhen the even mapping of the HE-LTF is used.

In each row on the right side, each column indicates a subcarrierposition (SC) of an element (such as an edge carrier or a pilot tone)corresponding to the row and a spacing (or Gap) between the elementcorresponding to the row and the element corresponding to the next row.

In the embodiments within the 20 MHz channel bandwidth, the edgecarriers of the RU includes a lowest subcarrier (low SC) having an indexof −122, and a highest subcarrier (high SC) having an index of 122. Inthe embodiments within the 40, 80, or 160 MHz bandwidth, the edgecarriers of the RUs includes a lowest subcarrier (low SC) having anindex of 0, and a highest subcarrier (high SC) having an index of 241.

For a first example, in an embodiment of option a of alternative 1 ofdesign A having an even tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign in a 20 MHz bandwidth, first to eighth pilots of the242-subcarrier RU are respectively located at indexes of −104, −76, −40,−12, +12, +40, +76, +104, respectively.

For a second example, in an embodiment of option b of alternative 1 ofdesign A having an odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign for a 40, 80, or 160 MHz channel bandwidth, first to eighthpilots of even RUs are respectively located at indexes of 19, 47, 83,111, 131, 159, 195, and 223, respectively. First to eighth pilots of oddRUs are respectively located at indexes of 18, 46, 82, 110, 130, 158,194, and 222, respectively.

In the second example, the positions of the pilot tone positions in theeven and odd RUs are mirror symmetric. That is, the spacing between thepilot tone positions and edge subcarriers, starting from the lowestsubcarrier, are 19, 27, 35, 27, 19, 27, 35, 27, and 18 in the even RUsand 18, 27, 35, 27, 19, 27, 35, 27, and 19 in the odd RUs.

Table 5 illustrates that, for channel bandwidths of 40, 80 and 160 MHz,in every combination of i) one of option a and b, and ii) one of an evenand odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTF design, thepositions of the pilot tone positions in the even and odd RUs are mirrorsymmetric. In a 20 MHz channel bandwidth, there is only one242-subcarrier RU.

FIG. 26 includes a Table 6 that indicates pilot tone positions for sixembodiments of alternative 1 of design A for 242-subcarrier RUs. Theembodiments include three spacing options a, b, and c for each of twomappings (even or odd) of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design.

Table 6 includes three columns corresponding to the spacing options a,b, and c, respectively. Each column is composed of two subcolumns, i) an“EVEN/EVEN or ODD/ODD” subcolumn indicating positions in either even RUswhen an even mapping of the HE-LTF is used or odd RUs when an oddmapping of the HE-LTF is used, and ii) an “ODD/EVEN or EVEN/ODD”subcolumn indicating positions in either the even RUs when the oddmapping of the HE-LTF is used or the odd RUs when the even mapping ofthe HE-LTF is used.

In each row, each column indicates a subcarrier position (SC) of anelement (such as an edge carrier or a pilot tone) corresponding to therow and a spacing (or Gap) between the element corresponding to the rowand the element corresponding to the next row.

In each case, the edge carriers of the RU includes a lowest subcarrier(low SC) having an index of 0, and a highest subcarrier (high SC) havingan index of 241.

For example, in an embodiment of option a of alternative 1 of design Ahaving an even tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequence in the 2×LTF design,first to eighth pilots of even RUs are respectively located at indexesof +16, +46, +76, +106, +136, +166, +196, and +226, respectively. Firstto eighth pilots of odd RUs are respectively located at indexes of +15,+45, +75, +105, +135, +165, +195, and +225, respectively.

In the example, the positions of the pilot tone positions in the evenand odd RUs are mirror symmetric. That is, the spacing between the pilottone positions and edge subcarriers, starting from the lowestsubcarrier, are 16, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, and 15 in the even RUsand 15, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, 29, and 16 in the odd RUs.

Table 6 illustrates that in every combination of i) one of option a, b,and c, and ii) one of an even and odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequencein the 2×LTF design, the positions of the pilot tone positions in theeven and odd RUs are mirror symmetric.

FIG. 27 includes a Table 7 that indicates pilot tone positions for sixembodiments of alternative 1 of design A for center 242-subcarrier RUs.The embodiments include three spacing options a, b, and c for each oftwo mappings (even or odd) of an HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design.

Table 6 includes three columns corresponding to the spacing options a,b, and c, respectively. Each column is composed of two subcolumns, i) an“EVEN” subcolumn indicating positions in the center RU when an evenmapping of the HE-LTF is used, and ii) an “ODD” subcolumn indicatingpositions in the center RUs when the odd mapping of the HE-LTF is used.

In each row, each column indicates a subcarrier position of an element(such a pilot tone) corresponding to the row. The subcarrier positionsthat are below the center of the RU are given relative to a negativeoffset −f₀. The subcarrier positions that are above the center of the RUare given relative to a positive offset +f₀. The negative and positiveoffsets −f₀ and +f₀ correspond to the first non-DC subcarriers below andabove the center of the RU respectively, and the values of the negativeand positive offsets −f₀ and +f₀ are determined by a number of DCsubcarriers at the center of the RU.

In the embodiments shown in Table 7, pilot within each of an upper andlower half of the center RU are separated by 29 tones.

Table 7 illustrates that in every combination of i) one of option a, b,and c, and ii) one of an even and odd tone mapping of an HE-LTF sequencein the 2×LTF design, the positions of the pilot tone positions below andabove the center of the center RU are mirror symmetric.

5. Design A, Alternative 2: Pilot can be Mapped to Null LTF Tones

FIG. 28 illustrates pilot tone positions for an even RU block 2800 with26 subcarriers when an even tone mapping of an LTF sequence in a 2×LTFdesign is used, or for an odd RU block 2800 with 26 subcarriers and whenan odd tone mapping of the LTF sequence in the 2×LTF design is used,according to an embodiment of alternative 2 of design A. FIG. 29illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd RU block 2900 with 26subcarriers when an even tone mapping of the LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign is used, or for an even RU block 2900 with 26 subcarriers when anodd tone mapping of the LTF sequence in the 2×LTF design is used,according to an embodiment of alternative 2 of design A.

Locations of tones in the RU blocks 2800 and 2900 are given relative toan offset f0 within a 20 MHz channel. The offset f0 can be any of −122,−95, −68, −41, +16, +43, +70, and +97.

Alternative 2 defines the tone spacing between the pilots (that is,between first and second pilots 2804 and 2806 of the RU block 2800 andbetween first and second pilots 2904 and 2906 of the RU block 2900) tobe 12 subcarriers and includes 6 subcarriers between outer edges of theRU and respective nearest pilot tone positions. In the 2×LTF design, theLTF OFDM symbol will only carry one pilot within the 26 subcarrier RU(because the LTF tones of the 2×LTF design, indicated by upward pointingarrows, only coincide with one pilot tone position in each of the RUblocks 2800 and 2900), however for the 4×LTF design, the LTF OFDM symbolwill carry two pilots within the 26 subcarrier RU.

FIG. 30 illustrates pilot tone positions for an center RU block 3000with 26 subcarriers when odd tone mapping of an LTF sequence in a 2×LTFdesign are used. Locations of tones in the center RU block 3000 aregiven relative to a first offset f0 and a second offset f₁ relative to acenter subcarrier of the center RU block 3000. The first, second, andthird embodiment, the first offset f₀ can respectively be −14, −15, and−16 and the second offset f₁ can respectively be +2, +3, and +4. Tonesthat are lower than the center subcarrier of the center RU block 3000have position indicated relative to the first offset f₀. Tones that arehigher than the center subcarrier of the center RU block 3000 haveposition indicated relative to the second offset f1.

Alternative 2 defines the tone spacing between the first and secondpilots 3004 and 3006 to be 12 subcarriers (not including any of the DCsubcarriers 3002) and 6 subcarriers to the outer edge of the RU frompilot tone positions. This results in no pilots to be carried in thecentral 26 subcarrier RU of the LTF OFDM symbol in case of 2×LTF designbecause the LTF tones of the 2×LTF design, indicated by upward pointingarrows, do not correspond with either of the first pilot tone position3004 and the second pilot tone position 3006.

FIG. 31 illustrates pilot tone positions for an even RU block 3100 with52 subcarriers when an even tone mapping of an LTF sequence in a 2×LTFdesign is used, or for an odd RU block 3100 with 52 subcarriers and whenan odd tone mapping of the LTF sequence in the 2×LTF design is used,according to an embodiment of alternative 2 of design A. FIG. 32illustrates pilot tone positions for an odd RU block 3200 with 56subcarriers when the even tone mapping of the LTF sequence in the 2×LTFdesign is used, or for an even RU block 3100 with 26 subcarriers whenthe odd tone mapping of the LTF sequence in the 2×LTF design is used,according to an embodiment of alternative 2 of design A.

Alternative 2 defines the tone spacing between the any two pilots to be12 subcarriers and 6 subcarriers to the outer edge of the RU from pilottone positions. Accordingly, RU Block 3100 has first, second, third, andfourth pilots 3104, 3106, 3108, and 3110 at locations 6, 19, 32, and 45,respectively, and RU Block 3200 has first, second, third, and fourthpilots 3204, 3206, 3208, and 3210 at locations 6, 19, 32, and 45,respectively.

When the 2×LTF design is used, the LTF OFDM symbol will only carry twopilots within the 52 subcarrier RU, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32 by onlytwo of the pilot tone positions coinciding with the positions (indicatedby upward pointing arrows) of tones in the 2×LTF design. For the 4×LTFdesign, the LTF OFDM symbol will carry four pilots within the 52subcarrier RU.

6. Design B: Nested Pilot Structure

In a nested pilot structure, the pilot tone positions between differentRUs having different number of subcarriers share the same physicalfrequency position. One or more pilot tone positions for a smallestresource size unit is determined, and pilot tone positions of a largerresource size unit are chosen from among the pilot tone positions of thesmallest resource size unit. Embodiment of pilot tone position designare disclosed herein for two different cases.

Case 1 embodies RU definition design with 26 subcarrier RUs, 52subcarriers RUs, 106 or 108 subcarrier RUs, 242 subcarrier RUs, 484subcarrier RUs, and 994 or 996 subcarrier RUs, wherein there are one ormore null or reserved tones between each 26 subcarrier RU and anyadjacent 26 subcarrier RUs. Case 2 embodies RU definition design with 26subcarrier RUs, 52 subcarriers RUs, 106 or 108 subcarrier RUs, 242subcarrier RUs, 484 subcarrier RUs, and 994 or 996 subcarrier RUs,wherein pairs of consecutive 26 subcarrier RUs line up (frequency wise)with 52 subcarrier RUs, except for the central 26 subcarrier RU withineach 20 MHz bandwidth.

In FIGS. 33 to 45, potential pilot tone positions in a 20 MHz bandwidthare indicated by dotted lines extending vertically through the figures.Actual pilot tone positions for each RU are indicated by upward pointingarrows. A solid upward pointing arrow indicates a pilot tone positionwith a fixed position. A dashed upward pointing arrow indicates a pilottone position having one of two positions, includes a first position tothe left of a reference subcarrier and a second position to the right ofa reference subcarrier, according to a design choice. In an embodiment,the reference subcarriers are center subcarriers of 13-subcarrier halvesof 26-subcarrier RUs.

In one embodiment, each potential pilot tone position aligns with apilot tone position in an HE-LTF symbol of the frame. In someembodiments, two pilot tone positions are present in each 26 subcarrierRU for a given bandwidth. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 16,the pilot tone positions in each 26 subcarrier RU may be represented bythe tones 1204 and 1206 (in relation to FIG. 12), tones 1304 and 1306(in relation to FIG. 13), and tones 1604 and 1606 (in relation to FIG.16). The pilot tone positions in 26 subcarrier RUs become the potentialpilot tone positions for RUs with greater number of subcarriers (e.g.,52, 106, 242, 484, 996, and 2×996 subcarriers). In other word, thepotential pilot tone positions are aggregation of pilot tone positionsused for each 26 subcarrier RU for a given bandwidth.

FIG. 33A illustrates a first option for pilot tone positions of a 20 MHzchannel 3300 in Case 1. In Case 1, at least one null or reserved tone ispresent between each 26-subcarrier RU. Pilot tone positions for each RUare selected from first to eighteenth potential pilot tone positions c1to c18. FIG. 33B shows Table 9, which lists the positions of each of thepotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 according to an embodiment, butembodiments are not limited thereto, and any of the pilot tone positionsdisclosed for 26-subchannel RUs in Design A, above, may be used for thepotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18. FIGS. 33A and 33B show thatthe 20 MHz channel 3300 has a total number of potential pilot tonepositions of 18.

In FIG. 33A and in FIGS. 34 to 25, numbers appearing immediately beloweach RU indicate indices of lowest and highest subcarriers of the RU.The indices are relative to a central (0^(th)) DC subcarrier of the 20MHz channel 3300. For example, in FIG. 33A, the numbers appearingdirectly below a first 26-subcarrier RU 3302 indicates that the index ofa lowest subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 3302 is −122 and thatthe index of a highest subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 3302 is−97. The positions shown in Table 33B are also relative to the central(0^(th)) DC subcarrier of the 20 MHz channel 3300.

FIG. 33A shows a first 26-subcarrier RU 3302 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions c1 and c2, a second 26-subcarrier RU3304 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c3and c4, a third 26-subcarrier RU 3306 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c5 and c6, a fourth 26-subcarrier RU 3308having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c7 and c8,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 3310 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, a sixth 26-subcarrier RU 3312having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c11 andc12, a seventh 26-subcarrier RU 3314 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c13 and c14, an eighth 26-subcarrier RU3316 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c15and c16, and a ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3318 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions c17 and c18.

FIG. 33A further shows a first 52-subcarrier RU 3322 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, a second52-subcarrier RU 3324 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c5, c6, c7, and c8, a third 52-subcarrier RU 3326 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13,and c14, and a fourth 52-subcarrier RU 3328 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions c15,c16, c17, and c18.

FIG. 33A further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 3332 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c4, c5, and c8, a second106-subcarrier RU 3334 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c11, c14, c15, and c18, and a 242-subcarrier RU 3336having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c4,c5, c8, c11, c14, c15, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 33A has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.

Furthermore, each RU in a lower 10 MHz of the 20 MHz channel 3300 haspilot tone positions that are mirror symmetric with a correspondingmirrored RU (that is, an RU with a same number of subcarriers and a sameoffset from the center of the 20 MHz channel 3300) of an upper 10 MHz ofthe 20 MHz channel 3300. For example, the pilot tone positions of thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 3302 are positioned to be mirror-symmetric to thepilot tone positions of the ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3318, the pilot tonepositions of the second 52-subcarrier RU 3324 are positioned to bemirror-symmetric to the pilot tone positions of the third 52-subcarrierRU 3326, and so on.

FIG. 34 illustrates a second option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the second option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto, and any of the pilot tonepositions disclosed for 26-subchannel RUs in Design A, above, may beused for the potential pilot tone positions c1 to c18.

FIG. 34 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RUs 3402,3404, 3406, and 3408 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RUs 3410 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RUs 3412, 3414, 3416, and 3418 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively. In each of the 26-subcarrierRUs 3402, 3404, 3406, 3408, 3410, 3412, 3414, 3416, and 3418, respectivefirst and second pilot tone positions correspond to potential pilot tonepositions covered by the respective 26 subcarriers.

FIG. 34 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRUs 3422, 3424, 3426, and 3428 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively. In each of the 52-subcarrier RUs 3422, 3424, 3426, and3428, respective first, second, third, and fourth pilot tone positionscorrespond to potential pilot tone positions covered by the respective52 subcarriers.

FIG. 34 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 3432 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c6, and c8, a second106-subcarrier RU 3434 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c11, c13, c16, and c18. In each of the 106-subcarrier RUs3433 and 3434, a first pilot tone position has an index corresponding toa lowest index among potential pilot tone positions covered by the RU, asecond pilot tone position is spaced two potential pilot tone positionsaway from the first pilot tone position, a third pilot tone positionspaced three potential pilot tone positions away from the second pilottone position, and a fourth pilot tone position spaced two potentialpilot tone positions away from the third pilot tone position.

FIG. 34 further shows a 242-subcarrier RU 3436 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c6, c8, c11, c13,c16, and c18. The 242-subcarrier RU 3436 has a first pilot tone positionhaving a lowest index among potential pilot tone positions covered bythe 242 subcarriers, a second pilot tone position spaced two potentialpilot tone positions away from the first pilot tone position, a thirdpilot tone position spaced three potential pilot tone positions awayfrom the second pilot tone position, a fourth pilot tone position spacedtwo potential pilot tone positions away from the third pilot toneposition, a fifth pilot tone position spaced three potential pilot tonepositions away from the fourth pilot tone position, a sixth pilot toneposition spaced two potential pilot tone positions away from the fifthpilot tone position, a seventh pilot tone position spaced threepotential pilot tone positions away from the sixth pilot tone position,and an eighth pilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tonepositions away from the seventh pilot tone position.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 34 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 34 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A. Therefore, pilot tone positions meetthe following relationship: c1=−c18, c2=−c17, c3=−c16, c4=−c15, c5=−c14,c6=−c13, c7=−c12, c8=−c11, and c9=−c10(c18>c17>c16>c15>c14>c13>c12>c11>c10>c9>c8>c7>c6>c5>c4>c3>c2>c1).

FIG. 35 illustrates a third option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the third option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto, and any of the pilot tonepositions disclosed for 26-subchannel RUs in Design A, above, may beused for the potential pilot tone positions c1 to c18.

FIG. 35 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 3502,3504, 3506, and 3508 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 3510 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3512, 3514, 3516, and 3518 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 35 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 3522, 3524, 3526, and 3528 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 35 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 3532 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c5, and c7, a second106-subcarrier RU 3534 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c12, c14, c16, and c18, and a 242-subcarrier RU 3536having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3,c5, c7, c12, c14, c16, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 35 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 35 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 36 illustrates a fourth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the fourth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 36 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 3602,3604, 3606, and 3608 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 3610 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3612, 3614, 3616, and 3618 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 36 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 3622, 3624, 3626, and 3628 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 36 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 3632 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c2, c4, c6, and c8, a second106-subcarrier RU 3634 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c11, c13, c15, and c17, and a 242-subcarrier RU 3636having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions c2, c4,c6, c8, c11, c13, c15, and c17.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 36 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 36 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

The options 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Case 1 shown in FIGS. 33A, 34, 35, and 36,respectively illustrate pilot tone positions for a 20 MHz bandwidth andwhen 106 subcarrier RUs are used instead of 108 subcarrier RUs. Thepilot tone positions within the 26 subcarrier RU can be the suggestedpilot tone positions embodiments described in the Design A section.

Resource Units (RUs) with larger sizes will have pilot tone positionsthat are the same as or a subset of the pilot tone positions foraggregated 26-subcarrier RUs occupying the same frequencies. The106-subcarrier RUs have 4 pilots within its RU allocation from among theeight potential pilot tone positions available for the 106-subcarrierRU. The options 1 to 4 are different alternatives for the four pilottone positions of the 106-subcarrier RUs and corresponding eight pilottone positions of a 242-subcarrier RU. The pilot tone positions for 106subcarrier RU and 242 subcarrier RU are chosen from the set of potentialpositions stemming from the pilot tone positions of the 26 subcarrierRUs such that frequency diversity can be maximized (that is, so that thespacing between the pilots are large).

FIG. 37 illustrates a fifth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the fifth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 37 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 3702,3704, 3706, and 3708 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 3710 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3712, 3714, 3716, and 3718 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 37 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 3722, 3724, 3726, and 3728 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 37 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 3732 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c2, c4, c5, c7, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 3734 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c12, c14, c15, c17, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 3736 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c4, c5, c8, c11, c14, c15, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 37 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 37 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 38 illustrates a sixth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the sixth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 38 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 3802,3804, 3806, and 3808 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 3810 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3812, 3814, 3816, and 3818 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 38 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 3822, 3824, 3826, and 3828 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 38 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 3832 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c2, c4, c5, c7, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 3834 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c12, c14, c15, c17, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 3836 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c4, c7, c8, c11, c12, c15, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 38 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 38 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 39 illustrates a seventh option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the seventh option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 39 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 3902,3904, 3906, and 3908 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 3910 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 3912, 3914, 3916, and 3918 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 39 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 3922, 3924, 3926, and 3928 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 39 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 3932 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c2, c4, c5, c7, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 3934 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c12, c14, c15, c17, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 3936 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c2, c5, c8, c11, c14, c17, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 39 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 39 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 40 illustrates an eighth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the eighth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 40 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 4002,4004, 4006, and 4008 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 4010 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4012, 4014, 4016, and 4018 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 40 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 4022, 4024, 4026, and 4028 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 40 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4032 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c4, c5, c6, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4034 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c13, c14, c15, c16, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 4036 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c4, c5, c8, c11, c14, c15, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 40 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 40 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 41 illustrates a ninth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the ninth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 41 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 4102,4104, 4106, and 4108 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 4110 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4112, 4114, 4116, and 4118 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 41 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 4122, 4124, 4126, and 4128 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 41 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4132 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c4, c5, c6, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4134 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c13, c14, c15, c16, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 4136 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c3, c6, c8, c11, c13, c16, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 41 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 41 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 42 illustrates a tenth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the tenth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 42 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 4202,4204, 4206, and 4208 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 4210 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4212, 4214, 4216, and 4218 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 42 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 4222, 4224, 4226, and 4228 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 42 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4232 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c4, c5, c6, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4234 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c13, c14, c15, c16, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 4236 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c3, c5, c8, c11, c14, c16, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 42 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 42 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 43 illustrates an eleventh option for pilot tone positions inCase 1. In an embodiment, the eleventh option may use the first toeighteenth potential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 43 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 4302,4304, 4306, and 4308 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 4310 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4312, 4314, 4316, and 4318 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 43 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 4322, 4324, 4326, and 4328 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 43 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4332 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c4, c5, c6, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4334 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c13, c14, c15, c16, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 4336 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c4, c6, c8, c11, c13, c15, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 43 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 43 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 44 illustrates a twelfth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1.In an embodiment, the twelfth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9 of FIG.33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 44 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 4402,4404, 4406, and 4408 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 4410 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4412, 4414, 4416, and 4418 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 44 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 4422, 4424, 4426, and 4428 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 44 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4432 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, c6, c7, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4434 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, c16, c17, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 4436 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c3, c6, c8, c11, c13, c16, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 44 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 44 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 45 illustrates a thirteenth option for pilot tone positions inCase 1. In an embodiment, the thirteenth option may use the first toeighteenth potential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 as shown in Table 9of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 45 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 4502,4504, 4506, and 4508 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions c1 and c2, c3 and c4, c5 and c6, and c7 and c8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 4510 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions c9 and c10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4512, 4514, 4516, and 4518 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c11 and c12, c13 and c14,c15 and c16, and c17 and c18, respectively.

FIG. 45 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 4522, 4524, 4526, and 4528 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c1, c2, c3, and c4, potential pilot tone positionsc5, c6, c7, and c8, potential pilot tone positions c11, c12, c13, andc14, and potential pilot tone positions c15, c16, c17, and c18,respectively.

FIG. 45 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4532 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c4, c5, c7, and c8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4534 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions c11, c12, c14, c15, c16, and c18, and a242-subcarrier RU 4536 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions c1, c3, c5, c7, c12, c14, c16, and c18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 45 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Further, thepilot tone positions shown in FIG. 41 illustrates the mirror symmetrydescribed with respect to FIG. 33A.

The options 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 of Case 1 shown in FIGS.37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45, respectively, illustrate pilottone positions for a 20 MHz bandwidth and when 108-subcarrier RUs areused instead of 106-subcarrier RUs. The pilot tone positions within the26 subcarrier RU can be the suggested pilot tone positions embodimentsdescribed in the Design A section.

Resource Units (RUs) with larger sizes will have pilot frequencypositions that are the same as or a subset of the pilot tone positionsfor aggregated 26-subcarrier RUs occupying the same frequencies. The108-subcarrier RUs have 6 pilots within their respective RU allocationfrom among the eight potential pilot tone positions available for the108-subcarrier RUs. The options 5 to 13 are different alternatives forthe six pilot tone positions of the 108-subcarrier RUs and correspondingeight pilot tone positions of a 242-subcarrier RU. The pilot tonepositions for 108 subcarrier RU and 242 subcarrier RU are chosen fromthe set of potential positions stemming from the pilot tone positions ofthe 26 subcarrier RUs such that frequency diversity can be maximized(that is, so that the spacing between the pilots are large).

7. Larger (Greater than 20 MHz) Bandwidth

In an embodiment, pilot tone positions defined for a 20 MHz bandwidthare reused in the 40, 80, and 160 MHz bandwidths.

The 40 MHz bandwidth RU definitions are defined using two logicalaggregated 20 MHz RU definitions. Except for the central RUs, the left20 MHz of the 40 MHz bandwidth will have the RU definitions and pilottone positions corresponding to a 20 MHz embodiment described above andthe right 20 MHz of the 40 MHz bandwidth will also have the RUdefinitions and pilot tone positions corresponding to a 20 MHzembodiment.

Because the DC tones in the middle of a 20 MHz bandwidth does not existin the left 20 MHz or right 20 MHz of the 40 MHz bandwidth, a central26-subcarrier RUs does not exist in the left 20 MHz or right 20 MHz ofthe 40 MHz bandwidth. Accordingly, an even 26 subcarrier RU or an odd 26subcarrier RU occupies a central portion of the left 20 MHz portion andthe right 20 MHz portion of the 40 MHz bandwidth, said central portioncorresponding to the area occupied by the central 26-subcarrier RU of a20 MHz bandwidth. Whether an even or odd 26-subcarrier RU is used in thecentral portion depends on the precise location of the RU.

Similarly, for the 80 MHz bandwidth RU definitions, two 40 MHz RUdefinitions and associated (relative) pilot tone positions are used. Acenter 26-subcarrier RU may be disposed between the two 40 MHz RUdefinitions.

For the 160 MHz bandwidth RU definitions, two 80 MHz RU definitions andassociated (relative) pilot tone positions are used.

FIGS. 46A to 53 illustrate embodiments of pilot tone positions for a 40MHz bandwidth for Case 1.

In FIGS. 46A to 54, potential pilot tone positions are indicated bydotted lines extending vertically through the figures. Actual pilot tonefor each RU are indicated by upward pointing arrows. A solid upwardpointing arrow indicates a pilot tone with a fixed position. A dashedupward pointing arrow indicates a pilot tone having one of twopositions, includes a first position to the left of a referencesubcarrier and a second position to the right of a reference subcarrier,according to a design choice. In an embodiment, the referencesubcarriers are center subcarriers of 13-subcarrier halves of26-subcarrier RUs.

FIG. 46A illustrates a first option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz channel 4600, wherein at least one null or reserved tonesis present between each 26-subcarrier RU. Pilot tone positions for eachRU are selected from first to thirty-sixth potential pilot tonepositions d1 to d36. FIG. 46B shows Table 10, which lists positions ofeach of the potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 according to anembodiment, but embodiments are not limited thereto, and any of thepilot tone positions disclosed for 26-subchannel RUs in Design A, above,may be duplicated for use as the potential pilot tone positions d1 tod36. The order of the potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 in Table10 goes down the left sub-table and up the right sub-table to betterillustrate the mirror symmetry of the potential pilot tone positions d1to d36.

FIG. 46A shows, on the left side, a first 26-subcarrier RU 4602 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d1 and d2, asecond 26-subcarrier RU 4604 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d3 and d4, a third 26-subcarrier RU 4606 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d5 and d6, afourth 26-subcarrier RU 4608 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d7 and d8, a fifth 26-subcarrier RU 4612 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d9 and d10, asixth 26-subcarrier RU 4614 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d11 and d12, a seventh 26-subcarrier RU 4616 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d13 and d14, aneighth 26-subcarrier RU 4618 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d15 and d16, and a ninth 26-subcarrier RU 4620having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d17 andd18.

FIG. 46A shows, on the right side, a tenth 26-subcarrier RU 4622 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d19 and d20, aneleventh 26-subcarrier RU 4624 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d21 and d22, a twelfth 26-subcarrier RU 4626 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d23 and d24, athirteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4628 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions d25 and d26, a fourteenth 26-subcarrierRU 4632 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positionsd27 and d28, a fifteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4634 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d29 and d30, a sixteenth26-subcarrier RU 4636 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d31 and d32, a seventeenth 26-subcarrier RU 4638 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d33 and d34, andan eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4640 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions d35 and d36.

FIG. 46A further shows, on the left side, a first 52-subcarrier RU 4642having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d2,d3, and d4, a second 52-subcarrier RU 4644 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions d5, d6, d7, and d8, a third52-subcarrier RU 4646 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d11, d12, d13, and d14, and a fourth 52-subcarrier RU4648 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positionsd15,d16, d17, and d18.

FIG. 46A further shows, on the right side, a fifth 52-subcarrier RU 4652having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d22,d21, and d22 a sixth 52-subcarrier RU 4654 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions d23, d24, d25, and d26, a seventh52-subcarrier RU 4656 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d29, d30, d31, and d32, and an eighth 52-subcarrier RU4658 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d33,d34, d35, and d36.

FIG. 46A further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 4662 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d5, and d7, a second106-subcarrier RU 4664 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d11, d13, d15, and d17, a third 106-subcarrier RU 4666having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d20, d22,d24, and d26, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 4668 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d30, d32, d34, and d36.

FIG. 46A further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 4672 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d5, d7, d11, d13,d15, and d17, a second 242-subcarrier RU 4674 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d20, d22, d24, d26, d30,d32, d34, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 4676 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d5, d7, d11, d13,d15, d17, d20, d22, d24, d26, d30, d32, d34, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 46A haspilot tone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions usedby the RUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.

Furthermore, each RU in a lower 20 MHz of the 40 MHz channel 4600 haspilot tone positions that are mirror symmetric with a correspondingmirrored RU (that is, an RU with a same number of subcarriers and a sameoffset from the center of the 40 MHz channel 4600) of an upper 20 MHz ofthe 40 MHz channel 4600. For example, the pilot tone positions of thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 4602 are positioned to be mirror-symmetric to thepilot tone positions of the eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4640, the pilottone positions of the second 52-subcarrier RU 4644 are positioned to bemirror-symmetric to the pilot tone positions of the seventh52-subcarrier RU 4656, and so on.

FIG. 47 illustrates a second option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the second option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto, and anyof the pilot tone positions disclosed for 26-subchannel RUs in Design A,above, may be duplicated for use as the potential pilot tone positionsd1 to d36.

FIG. 47 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 4702 to 4740 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 47 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4742 to 4758 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 47 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 4762 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d2, d4, d6, and d8, a second106-subcarrier RU 4764 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d12, d14, d16, and d18, a third 106-subcarrier RU 4766having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d21,d23, and d25, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 4768 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d29, d31, d33, and d35.

FIG. 47 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 4772 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d2, d4, d6, d8, d12, d14,d16, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 4774 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d21, d23, d25, d29,d31, d33, and d35, and a 484-subcarrier RU 4776 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d2, d4, d6, d8, d12, d14,d16, d18, d19, d21, d23, d25, d29, d31, d33, and d35.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 47 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 47 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

FIG. 48 illustrates a third option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the second option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 48 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 4802 to 4840 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 48 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4842 to 4858 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 48 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 4862 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d5, and d7, a second106-subcarrier RU 4864 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d12, d14, d16, and d18, a third 106-subcarrier RU 4866having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d21,d23, and d25, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 4868 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d30, d32, d34, and d36.

FIG. 48 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 4872 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d5, d7, d12, d14,d16, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 4874 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d21, d23, d25, d30,d32, d34, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 4876 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d5, d7, d12, d14,d16, d18, d19, d21, d23, d25, d30, d32, d34, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 48 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 48 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

FIG. 49 illustrates a fourth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the fourth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 49 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 4902 to 4940 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 49 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4942 to 4958 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 49 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 4962 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d4, d5, d6, and d8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 4964 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d11, d13, d14, d15, d16, and d18, a third108-subcarrier RU 4966 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d19, d21, d22, d23, d24, and d26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 4968 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d29, d31, d32, d33, d34, and d36.

FIG. 49 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 4972 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d6, d8, d11, d13,d16, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 4974 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d21, d24, d26, d29,d31, d34, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 4976 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d6, d8, d11, d13,d16, d18, d19, d21, d24, d26, d29, d31, d34, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 49 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 49 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

FIG. 50 illustrates a fifth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the fifth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 50 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 5002 to 5040 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 50 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5042 to 5058 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 50 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 5062 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d4, d5, d6, and d8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 5064 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d11, d13, d14, d15, d16, and d18, a third108-subcarrier RU 5066 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d19, d21, d22, d23, d24, and d26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 5068 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d29, d31, d32, d33, d34, and d36.

FIG. 50 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 5072 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d4, d5, d8, d11, d14,d15, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 5074 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d22, d23, d26, d29,d32, d33, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 5076 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d4, d5, d8, d11, d14,d15, d18, d19, d22, d23, d26, d29, d32, d33, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 50 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 50 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

FIG. 51 illustrates a sixth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the sixth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 51 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 5102 to 5140 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 51 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5142 to 5158 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 51 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 5162 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d2, d4, d5, d7, and d8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 5164 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d11, d12, d14, d15, d17, and d18, a third108-subcarrier RU 5166 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d19, d20, d22, d23, d25, and d26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 5168 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d29, d30, d32, d33, d35, and d36.

FIG. 51 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 5172 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d4, d7, d12, d15,d17, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 5174 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d20, d22, d25, d30,d33, d35, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 5176 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d3, d4, d7, d12, d15,d17, d18, d19, d20, d22, d25, d30, d33, d35, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 51 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 51 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

FIG. 52 illustrates a seventh option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the seventh option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 52 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 5202 to 5240 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 52 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5242 to 5258 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 52 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 5262 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d2, d4, d5, d7, and d8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 5264 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d11, d12, d14, d15, d17, and d18, a third108-subcarrier RU 5266 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d19, d20, d22, d23, d25, and d26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 5268 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d29, d30, d32, d33, d35, and d36.

FIG. 52 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 5272 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d2, d5, d8, d11, d14,d17, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 5274 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d20, d23, d26, d29,d32, d35, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 5276 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d2, d5, d8, d11, d14,d17, d18, d19, d20, d23, d26, d29, d32, d35, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 52 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 52 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

FIG. 53 illustrates an eighth option for pilot tone positions in Case 1for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the eighth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions d1 to d36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 53 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 5302 to 5340 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 4602 to 4640 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 53 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5342 to 5358 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 4642 to 4658 of FIG. 46A,respectively.

FIG. 53 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 5362 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d2, d4, d5, d7, and d8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 5364 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions d11, d12, d14, d15, d17, and d18, a third108-subcarrier RU 5366 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d19, d20, d22, d23, d25, and d26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 5368 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions d29, d30, d32, d33, d35, and d36.

FIG. 53 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 5372 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d4, d5, d8, d11, d14,d15, and d18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 5374 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d19, d22, d23, d26, d29,d32, d33, and d36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 5376 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions d1, d4, d5, d8, d11, d14,d15, d18, d19, d22, d23, d26, d29, d32, d33, and d36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 53 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 53 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 46A.

Case 2 embodies RU definition design with 26 subcarrier RUs, 52subcarriers RUs, 106 or 108 subcarrier RUs, 242 subcarrier RUs, 484subcarrier RUs, and 994 or 996 subcarrier RUs, wherein pairs ofconsecutive 26 subcarrier RUs line up (frequency wise) with 52subcarrier RUs, except for the central 26 subcarrier RU within each 20MHz bandwidth.

In FIGS. 54A to 58, potential pilot tone positions are indicated bydotted lines extending vertically through the figures. Actual pilot tonefor each RU are indicated by upward pointing arrows. A solid upwardpointing arrow indicates a pilot tone with a fixed position. A dashedupward pointing arrow indicates a pilot tone having one of twopositions, includes a first position to the left of a referencesubcarrier and a second position to the right of a reference subcarrier,according to a design choice. In an embodiment, the referencesubcarriers are center subcarriers of 13-subcarrier halves of26-subcarrier RUs.

FIG. 54A illustrates a first option for pilot tone positions for a 20MHz channel 5400 in Case 2. Pilot tone positions for each RU areselected from first to eighteenth potential pilot tone positions e1 toe18. FIG. 54B shows Table 11, which lists the positions of each of thepotential pilot tone positions e1 to e18 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 54A shows a first 26-subcarrier RU 5402 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions e1 and e2, a second 26-subcarrier RU5404 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e3and e4, a third 26-subcarrier RU 5406 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e5 and e6, a fourth 26-subcarrier RU 5408having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e7 and e8,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 5410 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e9 and e10, a sixth 26-subcarrier RU 5412having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e11 ande12, a seventh 26-subcarrier RU 5414 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e13 and e14, an eighth 26-subcarrier RU5416 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e15and e16, and a ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5418 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions e17 and e18.

FIG. 54A further shows a first 52-subcarrier RU 5422 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e2, e3, and e4, a second52-subcarrier RU 5424 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions e5, e6, e7, and e8, a third 52-subcarrier RU 5426 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e11, e12, e13,and e14, and a fourth 52-subcarrier RU 5428 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions e15,e16, e17, and e18.

FIG. 54A further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 5432 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e3, e5, and e7, a second106-subcarrier RU 5434 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions e12, e14, e16, and e18, and a 242-subcarrier RU 5436having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e3,e5, e7, e12, e14, e16, and e18.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 54A has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.

Furthermore, each RU in a lower 10 MHz of the 20 MHz channel 5400 haspilot tone positions that are mirror symmetric with a correspondingmirrored RU (that is, an RU with a same number of subcarriers and a sameoffset from the center of the 20 MHz channel 5400) of an upper 10 MHz ofthe 20 MHz channel 5400. For example, the pilot tone positions of thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 5402 are positioned to be mirror-symmetric to thepilot tone positions of the ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5418, the pilot tonepositions of the second 52-subcarrier RU 5424 are positioned to bemirror-symmetric to the pilot tone positions of the third 52-subcarrierRU 5426, and so on.

FIG. 55 illustrates a second option for pilot tone positions in Case 2.In an embodiment, the second option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions e1 to e18 as shown in Table 11 of FIG.54B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 55 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 5502,5504, 5506, and 5508 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions e1 and e2, e3 and e4, e5 and e6, and e7 and e8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 5510 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e9 and e10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5512, 5514, 5516, and 5518 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e11 and e12, e13 and e14,e15 and e16, and e17 and e18, respectively.

FIG. 55 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 5522, 5524, 5526, and 5528 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions e1, e2, e3, and e4, potential pilot tone positionse5, e6, e7, and e8, potential pilot tone positions e11, e12, e13, ande14, and potential pilot tone positions e15, e16, e17, and e18,respectively.

FIG. 55 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 5532 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e3, e6, and e8, a second106-subcarrier RU 5534 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions e11, e13, e16, and e18, and a 242-subcarrier RU 5536having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e3,e6, e8, e11, e13, e16, and e18.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 55 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Furthermore,the pilot tone positions of FIG. 55 exhibit the mirror symmetrydescribed above for FIG. 54A.

FIG. 56 illustrates a third option for pilot tone positions in Case 2.In an embodiment, the third option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions e1 to e18 as shown in Table 11 of FIG.54B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 56 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 5602,5604, 5606, and 5608 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions e1 and e2, e3 and e4, e5 and e6, and e7 and e8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 5610 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e9 and e10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5612, 5614, 5616, and 5618 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e11 and e12, e13 and e14,e15 and e16, and e17 and e18, respectively.

FIG. 56 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 5622, 5624, 5626, and 5628 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions e1, e2, e3, and e4, potential pilot tone positionse5, e6, e7, and e8, potential pilot tone positions e11, e12, e13, ande14, and potential pilot tone positions e15, e16, e17, and e18,respectively.

FIG. 56 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 5632 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e2, e4, e6, and e8, a second106-subcarrier RU 5634 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions e11, e13, e15, and e17, and a 242-subcarrier RU 5636having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e2, e4,e6, e8, e11, e13, e15, and e17.

Each of the 52-, 106-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 56 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Furthermore,the pilot tone positions of FIG. 56 exhibit the mirror symmetrydescribed above for FIG. 54A.

Options 1, 2, and 3 for Case 2 as shown in FIGS. 54A, 55, and 56,respectively, represent pilot tone positions for a 20 MHz bandwidth andwhen a 106-subcarrier RU is used instead of a 108-subcarrier RU. Thepilot tone positions within the 26-subcarrier RU can be the suggestedpilot tone positions embodiments described in Design A section.

Resource Units (RUs) with larger sizes will have identical pilotfrequency positions as the pilot tone positions for aggregated 26subcarrier RUs.

The 106-subcarrier RUs respectively have 4 pilots within their RUallocations. However, there are potentially 8 pilot tone positionsavailable for the 106 subcarrier RU. The options 1, 2, and 3 shown inFIGS. 54A, 55, and 56, respectively, are different alternatives to thepilot tone positions of the 106 subcarrier RUs and 242 subcarrier RU.The pilot tone positions for 106 subcarrier RU and 242 subcarrier RU arechosen from the set of potential positions stemming from the pilot tonepositions of the 26 subcarrier RUs such that frequency diversity can bemaximized (e.g. spacing between pilots are large). In case 2, the edgeof the 106 subcarrier RU is lined up with 26 subcarrier and 52subcarrier RUs.

FIG. 57 illustrates a fourth and a fifth option for pilot tone positionsin Case 2. In an embodiment, the fourth and fifth options may each usethe first to eighteenth potential pilot tone positions e1 to e18 asshown in Table 11 of FIG. 54B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

The fourth and fifth option respectively have identical pilot tonepositions for 26-, 52-, and 108-subcarrier RUs. Pilot tone positions foran option-four 242-subcarrier RU 5736A of option four are different frompilot tone positions for an option-five 242-subcarrier RU 5736B ofoption five.

FIG. 57 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 5702,5704, 5706, and 5708 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions e1 and e2, e3 and e4, e5 and e6, and e7 and e8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 5710 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e9 and e10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5712, 5714, 5716, and 5718 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e11 and e12, e13 and e14,e15 and e16, and e17 and e18, respectively.

FIG. 57 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 5722, 5724, 5726, and 5728 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions e1, e2, e3, and e4, potential pilot tone positionse5, e6, e7, and e8, potential pilot tone positions e11, e12, e13, ande14, and potential pilot tone positions e15, e16, e17, and e18,respectively.

FIG. 57 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 5732 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e3, e4, e5, e6, and e8,and a second 108-subcarrier RU 5734 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e11, e13, e14, e15, e16, and e18.

FIG. 57 further shows the option-four 242-subcarrier RU 5736A of optionfour having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions e1,e3, e6, e8, e11, e13, e16, and e18, and the option-five 242-subcarrierRU 5736A of option five having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions e1, e4, e5, e8, e11, e14, e15, and e18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 57 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Furthermore,the pilot tone positions of FIG. 57 exhibit the mirror symmetrydescribed above for FIG. 54A.

FIG. 58 illustrates a sixth option for pilot tone positions in Case 2.In an embodiment, the sixth option may use the first to eighteenthpotential pilot tone positions e1 to e18 as shown in Table 11 of FIG.54B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 58 shows a first, second, third, and fourth 26-subcarrier RU 5802,5804, 5806, and 5808 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tonepositions e1 and e2, e3 and e4, e5 and e6, and e7 and e8, respectively,a fifth (center) 26-subcarrier RU 5810 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions e9 and e10, and sixth, seventh, eighth,and ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5812, 5814, 5816, and 5818 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e11 and e12, e13 and e14,e15 and e16, and e17 and e18, respectively.

FIG. 58 further shows a first, second, third, and fourth 52-subcarrierRU 5822, 5824, 5826, and 5828 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions e1, e2, e3, and e4, potential pilot tone positionse5, e6, e7, and e8, potential pilot tone positions e11, e12, e13, ande14, and potential pilot tone positions e15, e16, e17, and e18,respectively.

FIG. 58 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 5832 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions e1, e2, e4, e5, e7, and e8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 5834 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions e11, e12, e14, e15, e17, and e18, and a242-subcarrier RU 5836 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions e1, e4, e5, e8, e11, e14, e15, and e18.

Each of the 52-, 108-, and 242-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 58 has pilot tonepositions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by the RUshaving fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth. Furthermore,the pilot tone positions of FIG. 58 exhibit the mirror symmetrydescribed above for FIG. 54A.

Options 4, 5, and 6 of Case 2 shown in FIGS. 57, 57, and 58,respectively, represent pilot tone positions for a 20 MHz bandwidth andwhen a 108-subcarrier RU is used instead of a 106-subcarrier RU. Thepilot tone positions within the 26-subcarrier RUs can be the suggestedpilot tone positions embodiments described in Design A section.

Resource Units (RUs) with larger sizes will have identical pilotfrequency positions as the pilot tone positions for aggregated 26subcarrier RUs. 108-subcarrier RUs have 6 pilots within their respectiveRU allocation and the 242-subcarrier RU has 8 pilots within its RUallocation. However, there are potentially 8 potential pilot tonepositions available for the 108-subcarrier RU and 18 potential pilottone positions for the 242 subcarrier RU.

The options 4, 5, and 6 are different alternatives for the pilot tonepositions of the 108-subcarrier RUs and 242-subcarrier RU. The pilottone positions for 108 subcarrier RU and 242 subcarrier RU are chosenfrom the set of potential positions stemming from the pilot tonepositions of the 26 subcarrier RUs such that frequency diversity can bemaximized (e.g. spacing between pilots are large).

Pilot tone positions of 40, 80, and 160 MHz bandwidths for case 2 aredefined using the concatenated (relative) pilot tone positions of the 20MHz bandwidth pilot tone positions. As in Case 1, central 26-subcarrierRUs in left and right 20 MHz portions of a 40 MHz bandwidth arerespectively replaced by an even or odd 26-subcarrier RU. An 80 MHzbandwidth will use two concatenated 40 MHz pilot tone positions with asingle central 26-subcarrier RU in the middle. FIGS. 59 to 65 illustrateembodiments of pilot tone positions for a 40 MHz bandwidth for Case 2.

In FIGS. 59 to 65, potential pilot tone positions are indicated bydotted lines extending vertically through the figures. Actual pilot tonefor each RU are indicated by upward pointing arrows. A solid upwardpointing arrow indicates a pilot tone with a fixed position. A dashedupward pointing arrow indicates a pilot tone having one of twopositions, includes a first position to the left of a referencesubcarrier and a second position to the right of a reference subcarrier,according to a design choice. In an embodiment, the referencesubcarriers are center subcarriers of 13-subcarrier halves of26-subcarrier RUs.

FIG. 59A illustrates a first option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz channel 5900. Pilot tone positions for each RU are selectedfrom first to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36.FIG. 59B shows Table 12, which lists positions of each of the potentialpilot tone positions f1 to f36 according to an embodiment, butembodiments are not limited thereto. The order of the potential pilottone positions f1 to f36 in Table 10 goes down the left sub-table and upthe right sub-table to better illustrate the mirror symmetry of thepotential pilot tone positions f1 to f36. Therefore, the pilot tonepositions f1 to f36 meets the following relationship: f1=−f36, f2=−f35,f3=−f34, f4=−f33, f5=−f32, f6=−f31, f7=−f30, f8=−f29, f9=−f28, f10=−f27,f11=−f26, f12=−f25, f13=−f24, f14=−f23, f15=−f22, f16=−f21, f17=−f20,and f18=−f19(f36>f35>f34>f33>f32>f31>f30>f29>f28>f27>f26>f25>f24>f23>f22>f21>f20>f19>f18>f17>f16>f15>f14>f13>f12>f11>f10>f9>f8>f7>f6>f5>f4>f3>f2>f1).

FIG. 59A shows, on the left side, a first 26-subcarrier RU 5902 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f1 and f2, asecond 26-subcarrier RU 5904 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f3 and f4, a third 26-subcarrier RU 5906 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f5 and f6, afourth 26-subcarrier RU 5908 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f7 and f8, a fifth 26-subcarrier RU 5912 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f9 and f10, asixth 26-subcarrier RU 5914 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f11 and f12, a seventh 26-subcarrier RU 5916 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f13 and f14, aneighth 26-subcarrier RU 5918 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f15 and f16, and a ninth 26-subcarrier RU 5920having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f17 andf18.

FIG. 59A shows, on the right side, a tenth 26-subcarrier RU 5922 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f19 and f20, aneleventh 26-subcarrier RU 5924 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f21 and f22, a twelfth 26-subcarrier RU 5926 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f23 and f24, athirteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5928 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions f25 and f26, a fourteenth 26-subcarrierRU 5932 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positionsf27 and f28, a fifteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5934 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f29 and f30, a sixteenth26-subcarrier RU 5936 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f31 and f32, a seventeenth 26-subcarrier RU 5938 havingpilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f33 and f34, andan eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5940 having pilot tone positions atpotential pilot tone positions f35 and f36.

In each of the 26-subcarrier RUs 5902 to 5940, respective first andsecond pilot tone positions correspond to potential pilot tone positionscovered by the respective 26 subcarriers.

FIG. 59A further shows, on the left side, a first 52-subcarrier RU 5942having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f2,f3, and f4, a second 52-subcarrier RU 5944 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions f5, f6, f7, and f8, a third52-subcarrier RU 5959 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f11, f12, f13, and f14, and a fourth 52-subcarrier RU5948 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positionsf15,f16, f17, and f18.

FIG. 59A further shows, on the right side, a fifth 52-subcarrier RU 5952having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f22,f21, and f22 a sixth 52-subcarrier RU 5954 having pilot tone positionsat potential pilot tone positions f23, f24, f25, and f26, a seventh52-subcarrier RU 5956 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f29, f30, f31, and f32, and an eighth 52-subcarrier RU5958 having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f33,f34, f35, and f36.

In each of the 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958, respective first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions correspond to potential pilottone positions covered by the respective 52 subcarriers.

FIG. 59A further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 5962 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f6, and f8, a second106-subcarrier RU 5964 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f11, f13, f16, and f18, a third 106-subcarrier RU 5966having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21,f24, and f26, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 5968 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f29, f31, f34, and f36. Ineach of the 106-subcarrier RUs 5962 to 5968, a first pilot tone positionhas an index corresponding to a lowest index among potential pilot tonepositions covered by the RU, a second pilot tone position is spaced twopotential pilot tone positions away from the first pilot tone position,a third pilot tone position spaced three potential pilot tone positionsaway from the second pilot tone position, and a fourth pilot toneposition spaced two potential pilot tone positions away from the thirdpilot tone position.

FIG. 59A further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 5972 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f6, f8, f11, f13,f16, and f18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 5974 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21, f24, f26, f29,f31, f34, and f36. In each of the first and second 242-subcarrier RUs5972 and 5964, a first pilot tone position has a lowest index amongpotential pilot tone positions covered by the 242 subcarriers, a secondpilot tone position is spaced two potential pilot tone positions awayfrom the first pilot tone position, a third pilot tone position isspaced three potential pilot tone positions away from the second pilottone position, a fourth pilot tone position is spaced two potentialpilot tone positions away from the third pilot tone position, a fifthpilot tone position is spaced three potential pilot tone positions awayfrom the fourth pilot tone position, a sixth pilot tone position isspaced two potential pilot tone positions away from the fifth pilot toneposition, a seventh pilot tone position is spaced three potential pilottone positions away from the sixth pilot tone position, and an eighthpilot tone position is spaced two potential pilot tone positions awayfrom the seventh pilot tone position.

FIG. 59A further shows a 484-subcarrier RU 5976 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f6, f8, f11, f13,f16, f18, f19, f21, f24, f26, f29, f31, f34, and f36. The 484-subcarrierRU 5976 has a first pilot tone position having a lowest index amongpotential pilot tone positions covered by the 242 subcarriers, andsecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth,eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenthpilot tone positions spaced 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3, 2potential pilot tone positions away from the first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth,thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth pilot tone position, respectively.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 59A haspilot tone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions usedby the RUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.

Furthermore, each RU in a lower 20 MHz of the 40 MHz channel 5900 haspilot tone positions that are mirror symmetric with a correspondingmirrored RU (that is, an RU with a same number of subcarriers and a sameoffset from the center of the 40 MHz channel 4900) of an upper 20 MHz ofthe 40 MHz channel 4900. For example, the pilot tone positions of thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 5902 are positioned to be mirror-symmetric to thepilot tone positions of the eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5940, the pilottone positions of the second 52-subcarrier RU 5944 are positioned to bemirror-symmetric to the pilot tone positions of the seventh52-subcarrier RU 5956, and so on.

FIG. 60 illustrates a second option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the second option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 60 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 6002 to 6040 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5902 to 5940 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 60 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 6042 to 6058 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 60 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 6062 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f5, and f7, a second106-subcarrier RU 6064 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f11, f13, f15, and f17, a third 106-subcarrier RU 6066having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f20, f22,f24, and f26, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 6068 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f30, f32, f34, and f36.

FIG. 60 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 6072 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f5, f7, f11, f13,f15, and f17, a second 242-subcarrier RU 6074 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f20, f22, f24, f26, f30,f32, f34, and f36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 6076 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f5, f7, f11, f13,f15, f17, f20, f22, f24, f26, f30, f32, f34, and f36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 60 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 60 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 59A.

FIG. 61 illustrates a third option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the third option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 61 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 6102 to 6140 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5902 to 5940 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 61 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 6142 to 6158 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 61 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 6162 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f2, f4, f6, and f8, a second106-subcarrier RU 6164 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f12, f14, f16, and f18, a third 106-subcarrier RU 6166having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21,f23, and f25, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 6168 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f29, f31, f33, and f35.

FIG. 61 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 6172 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f2, f4, f6, f8, f12, f14,f16, and f18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 6174 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21, f23, f25, f29,f31, f33, and f35, and a 484-subcarrier RU 6176 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f2, f4, f6, f8, f12, f14,f16, f18, f19, f21, f23, f25, f29, f31, f33, and f35.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 61 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 61 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 59A.

FIG. 62 illustrates a fourth option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the fourth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 62 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 6202 to 6240 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5902 to 5940 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 62 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 6242 to 6258 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 62 further shows a first 106-subcarrier RU 6262 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f2, f4, f6, and f8, a second106-subcarrier RU 6264 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f11, f13, f15, and f17, a third 106-subcarrier RU 6266having pilot tone positions at potential pilot tone positions f20, f22,f24, and f26, and a fourth 106-subcarrier RU 6268 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f29, f31, f33, and f35.

FIG. 62 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 6272 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f2, f4, f6, f8, f11, f13,f15, and f17, a second 242-subcarrier RU 6274 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f20, f22, f24, f26, f29,f31, f33, and f35, and a 484-subcarrier RU 6276 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f2, f4, f6, f8, f11, f13,f15, f17, f20, f22, f24, f26, f29, f31, f33, and f35.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 62 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 62 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 59A.

FIG. 63 illustrates a fifth option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the fifth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 63 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 6302 to 6340 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5902 to 5940 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 63 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 6342 to 6358 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 63 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 6362 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f4, f5, f6, and f8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 6364 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f11, f13, f14, f15, f16, and f18, a third108-subcarrier RU 6366 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f19, f21, f22, f23, f24, and f26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 6368 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f29, f31, f32, f33, f34, and f36.

FIG. 63 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 6372 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f6, f8, f11, f13,f16, and f18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 6374 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21, f24, f26, f29,f31, f34, and f36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 6376 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f6, f8, f11, f13,f16, f18, f19, f21, f24, f26, f29, f31, f34, and f36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 63 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 63 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 59A.

FIG. 64 illustrates a sixth option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the sixth option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 64 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 6402 to 6440 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5902 to 5940 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 64 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 6442 to 6458 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 64 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 6462 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f4, f5, f6, and f8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 6464 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f11, f13, f14, f15, f16, and f18, a third108-subcarrier RU 6466 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f19, f21, f22, f23, f24, and f26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 6468 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f29, f31, f32, f33, f34, and f36.

FIG. 64 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 6472 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f4, f5, f8, f11, f14,f15, and f18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 6474 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f22, f23, f26, f29,f32, f33, and f36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 6476 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f4, f5, f8, f11, f14,f15, f18, f19, f22, f23, f26, f29, f32, f33, and f36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 64 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 64 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 59A.

FIG. 65 illustrates a seventh option for pilot tone positions in Case 2for a 40 MHz bandwidth. In an embodiment, the seventh option may use thefirst to thirty-sixth potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 as shownin Table 9 of FIG. 33B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 65 shows first to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RUs 6502 to 6540 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighteenth 26-subcarrier RU 5902 to 5940 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 65 shows first to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 6542 to 6558 havingpilot tone positions at the same potential pilot tone positions as thefirst to eighth 52-subcarrier RUs 5942 to 5958 of FIG. 59A,respectively.

FIG. 65 further shows a first 108-subcarrier RU 6562 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f2, f4, f5, f7, and f8,a second 108-subcarrier RU 6564 having pilot tone positions at potentialpilot tone positions f11, f12, f14, f15, f17, and f18, a third108-subcarrier RU 6566 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f19, f20, f22, f23, f25, and f26, and a fourth108-subcarrier RU 6568 having pilot tone positions at potential pilottone positions f29, f30, f32, f33, f35, and f36.

FIG. 65 further shows a first 242-subcarrier RU 6572 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f4, f5, f8, f11, f14,f15, and f18, a second 242-subcarrier RU 6574 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f19, f22, f23, f26, f29,f32, f33, and f36, and a 484-subcarrier RU 6576 having pilot tonepositions at potential pilot tone positions f1, f4, f5, f8, f11, f14,f15, f18, f19, f22, f23, f26, f29, f32, f33, and f36.

Each of the 52-, 106-, 242-, and 484-subcarrier RUs in FIG. 65 has pilottone positions selected from among the pilot tone positions used by theRUs having fewer subcarriers that occupy the same bandwidth.Furthermore, the pilot tone positions of FIG. 65 exhibit the mirrorsymmetry described above for FIG. 59A.

FIGS. 66 to 78 represent example embodiments of the relative pilot tonepositions within the 52 subcarrier RU for different cases and options.The pilot tone position positions shown in FIGS. 66 to 78 can be used inboth Design A and B, although it was drawn to represent an example ofthe nested pilot tone positions (i.e. design B) for the 52 subcarrierRUs.

In FIGS. 66 to 78, hash marks along the horizontal access correspond tosubcarriers that respectively do not correspond to subcarriers havingenergy in a 2× HE-LTF. Upward pointing arrows along the horizontalaccess respectively correspond to subcarriers that correspond to thesubcarriers having energy in the 2× HE-LTF.

FIG. 66 illustrates an option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 66 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 66 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 6610being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 66 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6600A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6600B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6610 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 66 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU6610 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 66 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6600A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6600B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6610 and thatwould be odd and even RUs, respectively, in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 66, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 6610 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU6600A. A null or reserved subcarrier 6620 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 6600A and 6600B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 6600A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 6602 and 6604. The first pilot tone position 6602 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6600A. The second pilot toneposition 6604 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6602 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6600A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 6600B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 6606 and 6608. The third pilot tone position 6606 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 6600B. The fourth pilot toneposition 6608 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6606 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 6600B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 6610 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 6612, 6614, 6616, and 6618. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 6612, 6614, 6616, and 6618 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 6610 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 6602, 6604, 6606, and 6608 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 6600A and 6600B.

The fifth pilot tone position 6612 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 6610. The sixth pilot tone position 6614 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 12 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 6612. Theseventh pilot tone position 6614 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 6612. The eighthpilot tone position 6618 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 6616 and spaced 5subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 6610.

FIG. 66 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 6600A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 6600B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 66also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 6610 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 6600A and6600B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 67 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 67 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 67 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 6710being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 67 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6700A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6700B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6710 and thatwould be odd and even RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 67 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU6710 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 67 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6700A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6700B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6710 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 67, a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 6710 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU6700B. A null or reserved subcarrier 6720 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 6700A and 6700B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 6700A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 6702 and 6704. The first pilot tone position 6702 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6700A. The second pilot toneposition 6704 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6702 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6700A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 6700B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 6706 and 6708. The third pilot tone position 6706 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 6700B. The fourth pilot toneposition 6708 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6706 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU6700B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 6710 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 6712, 6714, 6716, and 6718. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 6712, 6714, 6716, and 6718 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 6710 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 6702, 6704, 6706, and 6708 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 6700A and 6700B.

The fifth pilot tone position 6712 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 6710. The sixth pilot tone position 6714 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 12 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 6712. Theseventh pilot tone position 6714 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 6712. The eighthpilot tone position 6718 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 6716 and spaced 6subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the52-subcarrier RU 6710.

FIG. 67 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 6700A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 6700B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 67also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 6710 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 6700A and6700B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 68 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 68 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 68 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 6810being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 68 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6800A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6800B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6810 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 68 may also be seen illustrating a second embodiment including a52-subcarrier RU 6810 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positionssuch as may be used with an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTFdesign, wherein the reference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to2×N+1, where N is an integer. FIG. 68 also illustrates pilot tonepositions of a first 26-subcarrier RU 6800A and a second 26-subcarrierRU 6800B that occupy a plurality of subcarriers occupied by the52-subcarrier RU 6810 and that would be odd and even RUs, respectively,in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 68, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 6810 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU6800A. A null or reserved subcarrier 6820 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 6800A and 6800B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 6800A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 6802 and 6804. The first pilot tone position 6802 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6800A. The second pilot toneposition 6804 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6802 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6800A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 6800B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 6806 and 6808. The third pilot tone position 6806 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 6800B. The fourth pilot toneposition 6808 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6806 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 6800B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 6810 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 6812, 6814, 6816, and 6818. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 6812, 6814, 6816, and 6818 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 6810 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 6802, 6804, 6806, and 6808 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 6800A and 6800B.

The fifth pilot tone position 6812 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 6810. The sixth pilot tone position 6814 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 12 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 6812. Theseventh pilot tone position 6814 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 6812. The eighthpilot tone position 6818 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 6816 and spaced 5subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 6810.

FIG. 68 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 6800A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 6800B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 68also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 6810 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 6800A and6800B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 69 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 69 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 69 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 6910being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 69 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6900A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6900B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6910 and thatwould be odd and even RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 69 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU6910 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 69 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 6900A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 6900B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 6910 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 69, a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 6910 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU6900B. A null or reserved subcarrier 6920 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 6900A and 6900B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 6900A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 6902 and 6904. The first pilot tone position 6902 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6900A. The second pilot toneposition 6904 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6902 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 6900A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 6900B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 6906 and 6908. The third pilot tone position 6906 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 6900B. The fourth pilot toneposition 6908 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 6906 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU6900B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 6910 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 6912, 6914, 6916, and 6918. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 6912, 6914, 6916, and 6918 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 6910 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 6902, 6904, 6906, and 6908 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 6900A and 6900B.

The fifth pilot tone position 6912 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 5subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 6910. The sixth pilot tone position 6914 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 12 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 6912. Theseventh pilot tone position 6914 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 6912. The eighthpilot tone position 6918 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 6916 and spaced 6subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the52-subcarrier RU 6910.

FIG. 69 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 6900A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 6900B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 69also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 6910 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 6900A and6900B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 70 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 70 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 70 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7010being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 70 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7000A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7000B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7010 and thatwould be odd and even RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 70 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7010 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 70 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7000A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7000B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7010 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 70, a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7010 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7000B. A null or reserved subcarrier 7020 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 7000A and 7000B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7000A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7002 and 7004. The first pilot tone position 7002 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 5 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7000A. The second pilot toneposition 7004 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7002 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7000A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7000B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7006 and 7008. The third pilot tone position 7006 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7000B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7008 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7006 and spaced 5 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7000B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7010 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7012, 7014, 7016, and 7018. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7012, 7014, 7016, and 7018 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7010 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7002, 7004, 7006, and 7008 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7000A and 7000B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7012 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 4subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7010. The sixth pilot tone position 7014 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 13 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7012. Theseventh pilot tone position 7014 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7012. The eighthpilot tone position 7018 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7016 and spaced 5subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7010.

FIG. 70 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 7000A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 7000B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 70also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7010 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7000A and7000B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 71 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 71 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 71 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7110being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 71 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7100A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7100B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7110 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 71 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7110 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 71 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7100A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7100B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7110 and thatwould be odd and even RUs, respectively, in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 71, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7110 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7100A. A null or reserved subcarrier 7120 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 7100A and 7100B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7100A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7102 and 7104. The first pilot tone position 7102 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7100A. The second pilot toneposition 7104 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7102 and spaced 5 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7100A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7100B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7106 and 7108. The third pilot tone position 7106 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 5 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7100B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7108 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7106 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7100B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7110 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7112, 7114, 7116, and 7118. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7112, 7114, 7116, and 7118 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7110 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7102, 7104, 7106, and 7108 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7100A and 7100B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7112 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7110. The sixth pilot tone position 7114 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 13 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7112. Theseventh pilot tone position 7114 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 11 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7112. The eighthpilot tone position 7118 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7116 and spaced 5subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7110.

FIG. 71 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 7100A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 7100B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 71also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7110 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7100A and7100B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 72 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 1,according to embodiments. FIG. 72 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 72 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7210being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 72 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7200A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7200B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7210 and thatwould be odd and even RUs, respectively, in the first embodiment.

FIG. 72 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7210 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 72 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7200A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7200B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7210 and thatwould be even and odd RUs, respectively, in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 72, a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7210 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7200B. A null or reserved subcarrier 7220 is disposed between the firstand second 26-subcarrier RUs 7200A and 7200B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7200A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7202 and 7204. The first pilot tone position 7202 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 7 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7200A. The second pilot toneposition 7204 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7202 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7200A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7200B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7206 and 7208. The third pilot tone position 7206 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7200B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7208 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7206 and spaced 7 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7200B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7210 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7212, 7214, 7216, and 7218. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7212, 7214, 7216, and 7218 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7210 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7202, 7204, 7206, and 7208 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7200A and 7200B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7212 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7210. The sixth pilot tone position 7214 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 11 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7212. Theseventh pilot tone position 7214 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7212. The eighthpilot tone position 7218 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7216 and spaced 7subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7210.

FIG. 72 illustrates mirror symmetric pilot tone positions between thefirst 26-subcarrier RU 7200A (which may be odd or even) and the second26-subcarrier RU 7200B (which may be even or odd, respectively). FIG. 72also illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7210 usesthe same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7200A and7200B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 73 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments. FIG. 73 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 73 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7310being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 73 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7300A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7300B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7310 and thatwould be even RUs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 73 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7310 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 73 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7300A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7300B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7310 and thatwould be odd RUs in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 73, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7310 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7300A and a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7310 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7300B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7300A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7302 and 7304. The first pilot tone position 7302 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7300A. The second pilot toneposition 7304 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7302 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7300A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7300B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7306 and 7308. The third pilot tone position 7306 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7300B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7308 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7306 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7300B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7310 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7312, 7314, 7316, and 7318. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7312, 7314, 7316, and 7318 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7310 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7302, 7304, 7306, and 7308 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7300A and 7300B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7312 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7310. The sixth pilot tone position 7314 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 12 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7312. Theseventh pilot tone position 7314 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 12 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7312. The eighthpilot tone position 7318 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7316 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7310.

FIG. 73 illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7310uses the same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7300A and7300B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 74 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments. FIG. 74 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 74 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7410being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 74 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7400A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7400B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7410 and thatwould be even RUs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 74 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7410 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 74 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7400A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7400B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7410 and thatwould be odd RUs in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 74, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7410 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7400A and a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7410 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7400B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7400A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7402 and 7404. The first pilot tone position 7402 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7400A. The second pilot toneposition 7404 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7402 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7400A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7400B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7406 and 7408. The third pilot tone position 7406 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7400B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7408 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7406 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7400B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7410 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7412, 7414, 7416, and 7418. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7412, 7414, 7416, and 7418 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7410 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7402, 7404, 7406, and 7408 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7400A and 7400B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7412 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7410. The sixth pilot tone position 7414 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 12 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7412. Theseventh pilot tone position 7414 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 12 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7412. The eighthpilot tone position 7418 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 12subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7416 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7410.

FIG. 74 illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7410uses the same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7400A and7400B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 75 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments. FIG. 75 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 75 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7510being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 75 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7500A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7500B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7510 and thatwould be even RUs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 75 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7510 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 75 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7500A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7500B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7510 and thatwould be odd RUs in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 75, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7510 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7500A and a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7510 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7500B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7500A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7502 and 7504. The first pilot tone position 7502 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7500A. The second pilot toneposition 7504 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7502 and spaced 7 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7500A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7500B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7506 and 7508. The third pilot tone position 7506 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7500B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7508 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7506 and spaced 7 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7500B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7510 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7512, 7514, 7516, and 7518. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7512, 7514, 7516, and 7518 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7510 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7502, 7504, 7506, and 7508 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7500A and 7500B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7512 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7510. The sixth pilot tone position 7514 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 11 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7512. Theseventh pilot tone position 7514 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7512. The eighthpilot tone position 7518 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7516 and spaced 7subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7510.

FIG. 75 illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7510uses the same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7500A and7500B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 76 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments. FIG. 76 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 76 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7610being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 76 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7600A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7600B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7610 and thatwould be even RUs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 76 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7610 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 76 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7600A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7600B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7610 and thatwould be odd RUs in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 76, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7610 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7600A and a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7610 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7600B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7600A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7602 and 7604. The first pilot tone position 7602 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 7 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7600A. The second pilot toneposition 7604 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7602 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7600A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7600B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7606 and 7608. The third pilot tone position 7606 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 7 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7600B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7608 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7606 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7600B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7610 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7612, 7614, 7616, and 7618. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7612, 7614, 7616, and 7618 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7610 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7602, 7604, 7606, and 7608 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7600A and 7600B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7612 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 7subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7610. The sixth pilot tone position 7614 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 11 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7612. Theseventh pilot tone position 7614 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 13 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7612. The eighthpilot tone position 7618 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 11subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7616 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7610.

FIG. 76 illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7610uses the same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7600A and7600B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 77 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments. FIG. 77 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 77 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7710being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 77 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7700A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7700B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7710 and thatwould be even RUs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 77 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7710 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 77 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7700A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7700B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7710 and thatwould be odd RUs in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 77, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7710 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7700A and a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7710 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7700B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7700A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7702 and 7704. The first pilot tone position 7702 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7700A. The second pilot toneposition 7704 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7702 and spaced 5 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7700A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7700B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7706 and 7708. The third pilot tone position 7706 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 6 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7700B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7708 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7706 and spaced 5 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7700B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7710 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7712, 7714, 7716, and 7718. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7712, 7714, 7716, and 7718 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7710 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7702, 7704, 7706, and 7708 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7700A and 7700B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7712 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 6subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7710. The sixth pilot tone position 7714 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 13 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7712. Theseventh pilot tone position 7714 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 11 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7712. The eighthpilot tone position 7718 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7716 and spaced 5subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7710.

FIG. 77 illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7710uses the same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7700A and7700B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 78 illustrates another option for pilot tone positions in Case 2,according to embodiments. FIG. 78 can be interpreted as illustrating twoembodiments, according to whether a reference subcarrier index f₀ iseven or odd.

FIG. 78 illustrates a first embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU 7810being an even RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an odd mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein areference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N, where N is aninteger. FIG. 78 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7800A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7800B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7810 and thatwould be even RUs in the first embodiment.

FIG. 78 illustrates a second embodiment including a 52-subcarrier RU7810 being an odd RU and having pilot tone positions such as may be usedwith an even mapping of a HE-LTF sequence in a 2×LTF design, wherein thereference subcarrier index f₀ has a value equal to 2×N+1, where N is aninteger. FIG. 78 also illustrates pilot tone positions of a first26-subcarrier RU 7800A and a second 26-subcarrier RU 7800B that occupy aplurality of subcarriers occupied by the 52-subcarrier RU 7810 and thatwould be odd RUs in the second embodiment.

In FIG. 78, a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7810 isaligned with a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU7800A and a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier RU 7810 isaligned with a highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7800B.

The first 26-subcarrier RU 7800A includes first and second pilot tonepositions 7802 and 7804. The first pilot tone position 7802 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 5 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7800A. The second pilot toneposition 7804 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7802 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom a highest-indexed subcarrier of the first 26-subcarrier RU 7800A.

The second 26-subcarrier RU 7800B includes third and fourth pilot tonepositions 7806 and 7808. The third pilot tone position 7806 correspondsto a subcarrier spaced 5 subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU 7800B. The fourth pilot toneposition 7808 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13 subcarriersfrom the first pilot tone position 7806 and spaced 6 subcarriers awayfrom the highest-indexed subcarrier of the second 26-subcarrier RU7800B.

The 52-subcarrier RU 7810 includes fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighthpilot tone positions 7812, 7814, 7816, and 7818. The fifth, sixth,seventh, and eighth pilot tone positions 7812, 7814, 7816, and 7818 ofthe 52-subcarrier RU 7810 respectively correspond to the first, second,third, and fourth pilot tone positions 7802, 7804, 7806, and 7808 of thefirst and second 26-subcarrier RUs 7800A and 7800B.

The fifth pilot tone position 7812 corresponds to a subcarrier spaced 5subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7810. The sixth pilot tone position 7814 corresponds to a subcarrierseparated by 13 subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position 7812. Theseventh pilot tone position 7814 corresponds to a subcarrier separatedby 11 subcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position 7812. The eighthpilot tone position 7818 corresponds to a subcarrier separated by 13subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position 7816 and spaced 6subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierRU 7810.

FIG. 78 illustrates a nested design in which the 52-subcarrier RU 7810uses the same pilot tone positions as the first and second RUs 7800A and7800B, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

Embodiments include processes for transmitting and receiving framesincluding pilot signals within allocated resources of an OFDMAtransmission wherein locations of the pilots are chosen that maximizefrequency diversity gain and improve carrier frequency offset trackingperformance.

FIG. 79 illustrates a process 7900 for transmitting a frame in awireless network, according to an embodiment. The process 7900 may beperformed by a wireless device configured to transmit frames.

At S7902, Resource Units (RU) of the frame are determined. In anembodiment, the RUs are RUs of a payload portion of an OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) frame.

At S7904, pilots are included into one or more odd 26-subcarrier RUs ofthe frame at a first set of positions relative to respective lowestsubcarriers of the odd 26-subcarrier RUs. An odd RU is an RU wherein thelowest subcarrier has an odd index.

At S7906, pilots are included into one or more even 26-subcarrier RUs ofthe frame at a second set of positions relative to respective lowestsubcarriers of the even 26-subcarrier RUs. An even RU is an RU whereinthe lowest subcarrier has an even index.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions is different than thesecond set of positions. In an embodiment, the first set of positions isa mirror image of the second set of positions.

At S7908, pilots are included into a center 26-subcarrier RU of theframe at a third set of positions relative to respective lowestsubcarriers of the center 26-subcarrier RUs. A center RU is an RUincluding at least one center-most non-DC subcarrier of the subchannelincluding the RU.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions is different than the thirdset of positions and the second set of positions is different than thethird set of positions.

At S7910, the wireless device transmits the frame.

FIG. 80 illustrates another process 8000 for transmitting a frame in awireless network, according to an embodiment. The process 8000 may beperformed by a wireless device configured to transmit frames.

At S8002, Resource Units (RU) of the frame are determined. In anembodiment, the RUs are RUs of a payload portion of an OrthogonalFrequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) frame.

At S8004, pilots are included into one or more 52-subcarrier RUs of afirst plurality of RUs of the frame at a first set of positions relativeto respective lowest subcarriers of the 52-subcarrier RUs. In anembodiment, the first plurality of RUs are even RUs.

At S8006, pilots are included into one or more 52-subcarrier RUs of asecond plurality of RUs of the frame at a second set of positionsrelative to respective lowest subcarriers of the 52-subcarrier RUs. Inan embodiment, the first plurality of RUs are odd RUs.

In an embodiment, the first set of positions is different than thesecond set of positions. In an embodiment, the first set of positions isa mirror image of the second set of positions.

At S8010, the wireless device transmits the frame.

FIG. 81 illustrates a process 8100 for transmitting a frame in awireless network, according to an embodiment. The process 8100 may beperformed by a wireless device configured to transmit frames.

At S8102, the process 8100 inserts a first plurality of pilots into aResource Unit (RU) for a High Efficiency Long Training Field (HE-LTF)symbol. The process 8100 determines respective positions of the firstplurality of pilots based on i) a size of the RU, ii) whether a lowestsubcarrier of the RU has an odd-numbered index or an even numberedindex, and iii) whether the RU is a center RU.

At S8104, the process 8100 inserts a second plurality of pilots into aResource Unit (RU) for a data symbol. The process 8100 determinesrespective positions of the second plurality of pilots based on i) asize of the RU, ii) whether a lowest subcarrier of the RU has anodd-numbered index or an even numbered index, and iii) whether the RU isa center RU.

At S8106, the process 8100 transmits a frame. The frame includes theHE-LTF symbol and the data symbol.

FIG. 82 illustrates a sub-process 8200 for inserting pilots, accordingto an embodiment. The sub-process 8200 may be included in S8102, S8104,or both of process 8100 of FIG. 81.

At S8202, the sub-process 8200 determines whether an RU includes 26 or52 subcarriers. When the RU includes 52 subcarriers, at S8202 thesub-process 8200 proceeds to S8204. Otherwise, when the RU includes 26subcarriers, at S8202 the sub-process 8200 proceeds to S8210.

At S8204, the sub-process 8200 determines whether a lowest subcarrier ofthe RU has an odd index (i.e. the RU is an odd RU) or an even index(i.e. the RU is an even RU). When the RU is the odd RU, at S8204 thesub-process 8200 proceeds to S8206. Otherwise, when the RU is the evenRU, at S8204 the sub-process 8200 proceeds to S8208.

At S8206, sub-process 8200 inserts a plurality of pilots into a symbolat a first set of predetermined positions, respectively.

At S8208, sub-process 8200 inserts a plurality of pilots into a symbolat a second set of predetermined positions, respectively.

At S8210, the sub-process 8200 determines whether the RU has a centerRU. When the RU is the center RU, at S8210 the sub-process 8200 proceedsto S8214. Otherwise, at S8210 the sub-process 8200 proceeds to S8212.

At S8212, the sub-process 8200 determines whether a lowest subcarrier ofthe RU has an odd index (i.e. the RU is an odd RU) or an even index(i.e. the RU is an even RU). When the RU is the odd RU, at S8212 thesub-process 8200 proceeds to S8216. Otherwise, when the RU is the evenRU, at S8212 the sub-process 8200 proceeds to S8218.

At S8214, sub-process 8200 inserts a plurality of pilots into a symbolat a third set of predetermined positions, respectively.

At S8216, sub-process 8200 inserts a plurality of pilots into a symbolat a fourth set of predetermined positions, respectively.

At S8218, sub-process 8200 inserts a plurality of pilots into a symbolat a fifth set of predetermined positions, respectively.

In an embodiment, each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifthsets of predetermined positions is different from every other of thefirst, second, third, fourth, and fifth sets of predetermined positions.

FIG. 83 illustrates a process 8300 for receiving a frame in a wirelessnetwork, according to an embodiment. The process 8300 may be performedby a wireless device configured to receive frames.

At S8302, the process 8300 receives a frame. The frame includes HighEfficiency Long Training Field (HE-LTF) symbols and data symbols.

At S8304, the process 8300 obtains a first plurality of pilots from aResource Unit (RU) for a HE-LTF symbol of the frame. The process 8300determines respective positions of the first plurality of pilots basedon i) a size of the RU, ii) whether a lowest subcarrier of the RU has anodd-numbered index or an even numbered index, and iii) whether the RU isa center RU.

At S8306, the process 8300 obtains a second plurality of pilots from aResource Unit (RU) for a data symbol of the frame. The process 8300determines respective positions of the second plurality of pilots basedon i) a size of the RU, ii) whether a lowest subcarrier of the RU has anodd-numbered index or an even numbered index, and iii) whether the RU isa center RU.

At S8308, the process 8400 processes the HE-LTF symbol.

At S8310, the process 8400 processes the data symbol.

FIG. 84 illustrates a sub-process 8400 for obtaining pilots, accordingto an embodiment. The sub-process 8400 may be included in S8304, S8306,or both of process 8300 of FIG. 83.

At S8402, the sub-process 8400 determines whether an RU includes 26 or52 subcarriers. When the RU includes 52 subcarriers, at S8402 thesub-process 8400 proceeds to S8404. Otherwise, when the RU includes 26subcarriers, at S8402 the sub-process 8400 proceeds to S8410.

At S8404, the sub-process 8400 determines whether a lowest subcarrier ofthe RU has an odd index (i.e. the RU is an odd RU) or an even index(i.e. the RU is an even RU). When the RU is the odd RU, at S8404 thesub-process 8400 proceeds to S8406. Otherwise, when the RU is the evenRU, at S8404 the sub-process 8400 proceeds to S8408.

At S8406, sub-process 8400 obtains a plurality of pilots from a firstset of predetermined positions within a symbol of the RU, respectively.

At S8408, sub-process 8400 obtains a plurality of pilots from a secondset of predetermined positions within the symbol, respectively.

At S8410, the sub-process 8400 determines whether the RU has a centerRU. When the RU is the center RU, at S8410 the sub-process 8400 proceedsto S8414. Otherwise, at S8410 the sub-process 8400 proceeds to S8412.

At S8412, the sub-process 8400 determines whether a lowest subcarrier ofthe RU has an odd index (i.e. the RU is an odd RU) or an even index(i.e. the RU is an even RU). When the RU is the odd RU, at S8412 thesub-process 8400 proceeds to S8416. Otherwise, when the RU is the evenRU, at S8412 the sub-process 8400 proceeds to S8418.

At S8414, sub-process 8400 obtains a plurality of pilots from a thirdset of predetermined positions within the symbol, respectively.

At S8416, sub-process 8400 obtains a plurality of pilots from a fourthset of predetermined positions within the symbol, respectively.

At S8418, sub-process 8400 obtains a plurality of pilots from a fifthset of predetermined positions within the symbol, respectively.

In an embodiment, each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifthsets of predetermined positions is different from every other of thefirst, second, third, fourth, and fifth sets of predetermined positions.

The above explanation and figures are applied to an HE receiver, an HEframe, an HE PPDU, an HE-SIG field and the like of the IEEE 802.11axamendment, but they can also applied to a receiver, a frame, PPDU, a SIGfield, and the like of the next amendment of IEEE 802.11.

Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to one or more of thefollowing clauses.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for transmitting a framecomprises providing pilots in a resource unit at a plurality of pilottone positions, and transmitting a frame including the resource unit.The frame has a plurality of potential pilot tone positions. Theplurality of pilot tone positions are a subset of the plurality ofpotential pilot tone positions. Half of the potential pilot tonepositions are mirror-symmetrical with an other half of the potentialpilot tone positions about a DC tone of the frame.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 106 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include 1) a first pilot tone positionhaving a lowest index among potential pilot tone positions covered bythe 106 subcarriers, 2) a second pilot tone position spaced twopotential pilot tone positions away from the first pilot tone position,3) a third pilot tone position spaced three potential pilot tonepositions away from the second pilot tone position, and 4) a fourthpilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tone positions away fromthe third pilot tone position.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 242 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include: 1) a first pilot toneposition having a lowest index among potential pilot tone positionscovered by the 242 subcarriers, 2) a second pilot tone position spacedtwo potential pilot tone positions away from the first pilot toneposition, 3) a third pilot tone position spaced three potential pilottone positions away from the second pilot tone position, 4) a fourthpilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tone positions away fromthe third pilot tone position, 5) a fifth pilot tone position spacedthree potential pilot tone positions away from the fourth pilot toneposition, 6) a sixth pilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tonepositions away from the fifth pilot tone position, 7) a seventh pilottone position spaced three potential pilot tone positions away from thesixth pilot tone position, and 8) an eighth pilot tone position spacedtwo potential pilot tone positions away from the seventh pilot toneposition.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 52 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include a first pilot tone position, asecond pilot tone position, a third pilot tone position, and a fourthpilot tone position which correspond to potential pilot tone positionscovered by the 52 subcarriers.

In an embodiment, when a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierresource unit has an even index, the first pilot tone position is spacedsix subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit, the second pilot tone position is separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position, the third pilot toneposition is separated by eleven subcarriers from the second pilot toneposition, and the fourth pilot tone position is separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and spaced fivesubcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit. When the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrier resourceunit has an odd index, the first pilot tone position is spaced fivesubcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit, the second pilot tone position is separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position, the third pilot toneposition is separated by eleven subcarriers from the second pilot toneposition, and the fourth pilot tone position is separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 26 subcarriers, the plurality of pilottone positions include a first pilot tone position and a second pilottone position which correspond to potential pilot tone positions coveredby the 26 subcarriers.

In an embodiment, when a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 26-subcarrierresource unit has an even index, the first pilot tone position is spacedsix subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit, and the second pilot tone position is separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced fivesubcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit. When a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resourceunit has an odd index, the first pilot tone position is spaced fivesubcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit, and the second pilot tone position is separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the resourceunit.

In an embodiment, when the 26-subcarrier resource unit is a centerresource unit that is split into 13 positive-indexed subcarriers and 13negative-indexed subcarriers by DC tones, the first pilot tone positionis spaced six subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit and spaced six subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the 13 negative-indexed subcarriers, andthe second pilot tone position is spaced six subcarriers away from alowest-indexed subcarrier of 13 positive-indexed subcarriers and spacedsix subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit. When the 26-subcarrier resource unit is notthe center resource unit and a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit has an even index, the first pilot toneposition is spaced six subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit, and the second pilot toneposition is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot toneposition and spaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit. When the 26-subcarrierresource unit is not the center resource unit and a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit has an odd index, thefirst pilot tone position is spaced five subcarriers away from thelowest-indexed subcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit, and thesecond pilot tone position is separated by thirteen subcarriers from thefirst pilot tone position and spaced six subcarriers away from thehighest-indexed subcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, the frame is transmitted on a 20 MHz channel, and atotal number of the potential pilot tone positions is 18.

In an embodiment, the frame is transmitted on a 40 MHz channel, and atotal number of the potential pilot tone positions is 36.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for receiving a framecomprises receiving a frame including a resource unit including pilotswhich are included at a plurality of pilot tone positions, andprocessing the pilots. The frame has a plurality of potential pilot tonepositions. A half of the potential pilot tone positions ismirror-symmetrical with an other half of the potential pilot tonepositions.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 106 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include a 1) first pilot tone positionhaving a lowest index among potential pilot tone positions covered bythe 106 subcarriers, 2) a second pilot tone position spaced twopotential pilot tone positions away from the first pilot tone position,3) a third pilot tone position spaced three potential pilot tonepositions away from the second pilot tone position, and 4) a fourthpilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tone positions away fromthe third pilot tone position.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 242 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include: 1) a first pilot toneposition having a lowest index among potential pilot tone positionscovered by the 242 subcarriers, 2) a second pilot tone position spacedtwo potential pilot tone positions away from the first pilot toneposition, 3) a third pilot tone position spaced three potential pilottone positions away from the second pilot tone position, 4) a fourthpilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tone positions away fromthe third pilot tone position, 5) a fifth pilot tone position spacedthree potential pilot tone positions away from the fourth pilot toneposition, 6) a sixth pilot tone position spaced two potential pilot tonepositions away from the fifth pilot tone position, 7) a seventh pilottone position spaced three potential pilot tone positions away from thesixth pilot tone position, and 8) an eighth pilot tone position spacedtwo potential pilot tone positions away from the seventh pilot toneposition.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 52 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include a first pilot tone position, asecond pilot tone position, a third pilot tone position, and a fourthpilot tone position which correspond to potential pilot tone positionscovered by the 52 subcarriers.

In an embodiment, when a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 52-subcarrierresource unit has an even index, the first pilot tone position is spacedsix subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the52-subcarrier resource unit, the second pilot tone position is separatedby thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position, the thirdpilot tone position is separated by eleven subcarriers from the secondpilot tone position, and the fourth pilot tone position is separated bythirteen subcarriers from the third pilot tone position and spaced fivesubcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the52-subcarrier resource unit. When a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the52-subcarrier resource unit has an odd index, the first pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the 52-subcarrier resource unit, the second pilot toneposition is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot toneposition, the third pilot tone position is separated by elevensubcarriers from the second pilot tone position, and the fourth pilottone position is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilottone position and spaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexedsubcarrier of the 52-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers, theplurality of pilot tone positions include a first pilot tone positionand a second pilot tone position which correspond to potential pilottone positions covered by the 26 subcarriers.

In an embodiment, when a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the 26-subcarrierresource unit has an even index, the first pilot tone position is spacedsix subcarriers away from the lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit, and the second pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position andspaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit. When a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit has an odd index, the first pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit, and the second pilot toneposition is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot toneposition and spaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, when the 26-subcarrier resource unit is a centerresource unit that is split into 13 positive-indexed subcarriers and 13negative-indexed subcarriers by DC tones, the first pilot tone positionis spaced six subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit and spaced six subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the 13 negative-indexed subcarriers, andthe second pilot tone position is spaced six subcarriers away from alowest-indexed subcarrier of 13 positive-indexed subcarriers and spacedsix subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit. When the 26-subcarrier resource unit is notthe center resource unit and a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit has an even index, the first pilot toneposition is spaced six subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit, and the second pilot toneposition is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot toneposition and spaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit. When the resource unit isnot the center resource unit and a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the26-subcarrier resource unit has an odd index, the first pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit, and the second pilot toneposition is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot toneposition and spaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexedsubcarrier of the 26-subcarrier resource unit.

In an embodiment, the frame is transmitted on a 20 MHz channel, and atotal number of the potential pilot tone positions is 18.

In an embodiment, the frame is transmitted on a 40 MHz channel, and atotal number of the potential pilot tone positions is 36.

In an embodiment, potential pilot tone positions are aggregation ofpilot tone positions used for each 26 subcarrier RU on a givenbandwidth.

Embodiments include frames transmitted on a 20 MHz channel and having anested pilot structure.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for transmitting a framecomprises providing pilots in a resource unit (RU), and transmitting aframe including the RU on a 20 MHz channel. The frame has 18 potentialpilot tone positions c1 to c18 corresponding to subcarrier indices. Forthe respective subcarrier indices,c18>c17>c16>c15>c14>c13>c12>c11>c10>c9>c8>c7>c6>c5>c4>c3>c2>c1.

In an embodiment, for the respective subcarrier indices, c1=−c18,c2=−c17, c3=−c16, c4=−c15, c5=−c14, c6=−c13, c7=−c12, c8=−c11, andc9=−c10.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c11,c12, c13 and c14. When the RU has a second set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c15,c16, c17 and c18.

In an embodiment, when a RU has 106 positive-indexed subcarriersincluding the first set of 52 positive-indexed subcarriers and thesecond set of 52 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions c11, c13, c16 and c18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c11and c12. When the RU has a second set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c13and c14. When the RU has a third set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c15 and c16. Whenthe RU has a fourth set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions c17 and c18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c1,c2, c3 and c4. When the RU has a second set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c5,c6, c7 and c8.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 106 negative-indexed subcarriersincluding the first set of 52 negative-indexed subcarriers and thesecond set of 52 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c6 and c8.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c1and c2. When the RU has a second set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c3 and c4. Whenthe RU has a third set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions c5 and c6. When the RU has afourth set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions c7 and c8.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 26 subcarriers that are split into 13positive-indexed subcarriers and 13 negative-indexed subcarriers by DCtones, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c9 and c10.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a set of 242 subcarriers that aresplit into 121 positive-indexed subcarriers and 121 negative-indexedsubcarriers by DC tones, pilots are included at potential pilot tonepositions c1, c3, c6, c8, c11, c13, c16 and c18.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for receiving a framecomprises receiving, on a 20 MHz channel, a frame including a resourceunit including pilots, and processing the pilots in the resource unit.The frame has 18 potential pilot tone positions c1 to c18 correspondingto subcarrier indices. For the respective subcarrier indices,c18>c17>c16>c15>c14>c13>c12>c11>c10>c9>c8>c7>c6>c5>c4>c3>c2>c1.

In an embodiment, for the respective subcarrier indices, c1=−c18,c2=−c17, c3=−c16, c4=−c15, c5=−c14, c6=−c13, c7=−c12, c8=−c11, andc9=−c10.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c11,c12, c13 and c14. When the RU has a second set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c15,c16, c17 and c18.

In an embodiment, when a RU has 106 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilotsare included at potential pilot tone positions c11, c13, c16 and c18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c11and c12. When the RU has a second set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c13and c14. When the RU has a third set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c15 and c16. Whenthe RU has a fourth set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions c17 and c18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c1,c2, c3 and c4. When the RU has a second set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c5,c6, c7 and c8.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 106 negative-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c1, c3, c6 and c8.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c1and c2. When the RU has a second set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c3 and c4. Whenthe RU has a third set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions c5 and c6. When the RU has afourth set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions c7 and c8.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 26 subcarriers that are split into 13positive-indexed subcarriers and 13 negative-indexed subcarriers by DCtones, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c9 and c10.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a set of 242 subcarriers that aresplit into 121 positive-indexed subcarriers and 121 negative-indexedsubcarriers by DC tones, pilots are included at potential pilot tonepositions c1, c3, c6, c8, c11, c13, c16 and c18.

Embodiments include frames transmitted on a 40 MHz channel and having anested pilot structure.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for transmitting a framecomprises providing pilots in the resource unit, and transmitting aframe including a resource unit (RU) on a 40 MHz channel. The frame has36 potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 corresponding to subcarrierindices. For the respective indices,f36>f35>f34>f33>f32>f31>f30>f29>f28>f27>f26>f25>f24>f23>f22>f21>f20>f19>f18>f17>f16>f15>f14>f13>f12>f11>f10>f9>f8>f7>f6>f5>f4>f3>f2>f1.

In an embodiment, for the respective indices, f1=−f36, f2=−f35, f3=−f34,f4=−f33, f5=−f32, f6=−f31, f7=−f30, f8=−f29, f9=−f28, f10=−f27,f11=−f26, f12=−f25, f13=−f24, f14=−f23, f15=−f22, f16=−f21, f17=−f20,and f18=−f19.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19,f20, f21 and f22. When the RU has a second set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f23,f24, f25 and f26. When the RU has a third set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f29,f30, f31 and f32. When the RU has a fourth set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f33,f34, f35 and f36.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 106 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19,c21, c24 and c26. When the RU has a second set of 106 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c29,c31, c34 and c36.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19and f20. When the RU has a second set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f21and f22. When the RU has a third set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f23 and f24. Whenthe RU has a fourth set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions f25 and f26. When the RU hasa fifth set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions f27 and f28. When the RU has a sixth setof 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potentialpilot tone positions f29 and f30. When the RU has a seventh set of 26positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f31 and f32. When the RU has an eighth set of 26positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f33 and f34. When the RU has a ninth set of 26positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f35 and f36.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 106 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1,f3, f6 and f8. When the RU has a second set of 106 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f11,f13, f16 and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1,f2, f3 and f4. When the RU has a second set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f5,f6, f7 and f8. When the RU has a third set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f11,f12, f13 and f14. When the RU has a fourth set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f15,f16, f17 and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1and f2. When the RU has a second set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f3 and f4. Whenthe RU has a third set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions f5 and f6. When the RU has afourth set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions f7 and f8. When the RU has a fifth set of26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f9 and f10. When the RU has a sixth set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f11 and f12. When the RU has a seventh set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f13 and f14. When the RU has an eighth set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f15 and f16. When the RU has a ninth set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f17 and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 242 positive-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21, f24,f26, f29, f31, f34 and f36. When the RU has 242 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1,f3, f6, f8, f11, f13, f16, and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 484 subcarriers that are split into242 positive-indexed subcarriers and 242 negative-indexed subcarriers byDC tones, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3,f6, f8, f11, f13, f16, f18, f19, f21, f24, f26, f29, f31, f34 and f36.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for receiving a framecomprises receiving, on 40 MHz channel, a frame including a resourceunit including pilots, and processing pilots in the resource unit. Theframe has 36 potential pilot tone positions f1 to f36 corresponding tosubcarrier indices. For the respective subcarrier indices,f36>f35>f34>f33>f32>f31>f30>f29>f28>f27>f26>f25>f24>f23>f22>f21>f20>f19>f18>f17>f16>f15>f14>f13>f12>f11>f10>f9>f8>f7>f6>f5>f4>f3>f2>f1.

In an embodiment, for the respective subcarrier indices, f1=−f36,f2=−f35, f3=−f34, f4=−f33, f5=−f32, f6=−f31, f7=−f30, f8=−f29, f9=−f28,f10=−f27, f11=−f26, f12=−f25, f13=−f24, f14=−f23, f15=−f22, f16=−f21,f17=−f20, and f18=−f19.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19,f20, f21 and f22. When the RU has a second set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f23,f24, f25 and f26. When the RU has a third set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f29,f30, f31 and f32. When the RU has a fourth set of 52 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f33,f34, f35 and f36.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 106 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19,c21, c24 and c26. When the RU has a second set of 106 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions c29,c31, c34 and c36.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f19and f20. When the RU has a second set of 26 positive-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f21and f22. When the RU has a third set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f23 and f24. Whenthe RU has a fourth set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions f25 and f26. When the RU hasa fifth set of 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions f27 and f28. When the RU has a sixth setof 26 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potentialpilot tone positions f29 and f30. When the RU has a seventh set of 26positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f31 and f32. When the RU has an eighth set of 26positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f33 and f34. When the RU has a ninth set of 26positive-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f35 and f36.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 106 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1,f3, f6 and f8. When the RU has a second set of 106 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f11,f13, f16 and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1,f2, f3 and f4. When the RU has a second set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f5,f6, f7 and f8. When the RU has a third set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f11,f12, f13 and f14. When the RU has a fourth set of 52 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f15,f16, f17 and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has a first set of 26 negative-indexedsubcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1and f2. When the RU has a second set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f3 and f4. Whenthe RU has a third set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots areincluded at potential pilot tone positions f5 and f6. When the RU has afourth set of 26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included atpotential pilot tone positions f7 and f8. When the RU has a fifth set of26 negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f9 and f10. When the RU has a sixth set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f11 and f12. When the RU has a seventh set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f13 and f14. When the RU has an eighth set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f15 and f16. When the RU has a ninth set of 26negative-indexed subcarriers, pilots are included at potential pilottone positions f17 and f18.

In an embodiment, when a RU has 242 positive-indexed subcarriers, pilotsare included at potential pilot tone positions f19, f21, f24, f26, f29,f31, f34 and f36. When the RU has 242 negative-indexed subcarriers,pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3, f6, f8,f11, f13, f16, and f18.

In an embodiment, when the RU has 484 subcarriers that are split into242 positive-indexed subcarriers and 242 negative-indexed subcarriers byDC tones, pilots are included at potential pilot tone positions f1, f3,f6, f8, f11, f13, f16, f18, f19, f21, f24, f26, f29, f31, f34 and f36.

Embodiments further include frames having a nested pilot structurebetween 26-subchannel resource units and 52-subchannel resource units.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for transmitting a framecomprises providing pilots in a resource unit, and transmitting a frameincluding the resource unit. When the resource unit has 52 subcarrierswhose lowest index number is f0, pilots are included at a first pilottone position, a second pilot tone position, a third pilot toneposition, and a fourth pilot tone position, respectively. When theresource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowest index number is equal tof0, pilots are included at a fifth pilot tone position, and a sixthpilot tone position, respectively. The fifth pilot tone position is thesame as the first pilot tone position, and the sixth pilot tone positionis the same as the second pilot tone position.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to (f0+26), pilots are included at a seventh pilottone position, and an eighth pilot tone position, respectively. Theseventh pilot tone position is the same as the third pilot toneposition, and the eighth pilot tone position is the same as the fourthpilot tone position.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 52 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an even number, the first pilot toneposition is spaced six subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, the second pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position,the third pilot tone position is separated by eleven subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position, and the fourth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilot tone position andspaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 52 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an odd number, the first pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, the second pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position,the third pilot tone position is separated by eleven subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position, and the fourth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilot tone position andspaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an even number, the fifth pilot toneposition is spaced six subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit and the sixth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position andspaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an odd number, the fifth pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit and the sixth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position andspaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to (f0+26) and is an even number, the seventhpilot tone position is spaced six subcarriers away from thelowest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit and the eighth pilot toneposition is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilottone position and spaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to (f0+26) and is an odd number, the seventh pilottone position is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit and the eighth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone positionand spaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier ofthe resource unit.

In an embodiment, a method of a wireless device for receiving a framecomprises receiving a frame including a resource unit including pilotsand processing pilots in the resource unit. When the resource unit has52 subcarriers whose lowest index number is f0, pilots are included at afirst pilot tone position, a second pilot tone position, a third pilottone position, and a fourth pilot tone position, respectively. When theresource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowest index number is f0, pilotsare included at a fifth pilot tone position, and a sixth pilot toneposition, respectively. The fifth pilot tone position is the same as thefirst pilot tone position. The sixth pilot tone position is the same asthe second pilot tone position.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to (f0+26), pilots are included at a seventh pilottone position, and an eighth pilot tone position, respectively. Theseventh pilot tone position is the same as the third pilot toneposition. The eighth pilot tone position is the same as the fourth pilottone position.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 52 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an even number, the first pilot toneposition is spaced six subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, the second pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position,the third pilot tone position is separated by eleven subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position, and the fourth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilot tone position andspaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 52 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an odd number, the first pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, the second pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position,the third pilot tone position is separated by eleven subcarriers fromthe second pilot tone position, and the fourth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilot tone position andspaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an even number, the fifth pilot toneposition is spaced six subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, and the sixth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position andspaced five subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to f0 and is an odd number, the fifth pilot toneposition is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, and the sixth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position andspaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier of theresource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to (f0+26) and is an even number, the seventhpilot tone position is spaced six subcarriers away from thelowest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit, and the eighth pilottone position is separated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventhpilot tone position and spaced five subcarriers away from thehighest-indexed subcarrier of the resource unit.

In an embodiment, when the resource unit has 26 subcarriers whose lowestindex number is equal to (f0+26) and is an odd number, the seventh pilottone position is spaced five subcarriers away from the lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the resource unit, and the eighth pilot tone position isseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone positionand spaced six subcarriers away from the highest-indexed subcarrier ofthe resource unit.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include electronic devicesconfigured to perform one or more of the operations described herein.However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may further include systemsconfigured to operate using the processes described herein. The systemsmay include basic service sets (BSSs) such as the BSSs 100 of FIG. 1,but embodiments are not limited thereto.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in the form ofprogram instructions executable through various computer means, such asa processor or microcontroller, and recorded in a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable mediummay include one or more of program instructions, data files, datastructures, and the like. The program instructions may be adapted toexecute the processes and to generate and decode the frames describedherein when executed on a device such as the wireless devices shown inFIG. 1.

In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer-readable medium mayinclude a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or aflash memory. In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer-readablemedium may include a magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical disc such asa hard disk drive, a floppy disc, a CD-ROM, and the like.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical embodiments, embodiments are notlimited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, may includevarious modifications and equivalent arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. The order of operationsdescribed in a process is illustrative and some operations may bere-ordered. Further, two or more embodiments may be combined.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of a wireless device for transmitting aframe, the method comprising: determining an index of a lowestsubcarrier of a resource unit (RU) for the frame; when the index isdetermined to be odd, providing a plurality of pilots in the RU of theframe at a first set of positions, respectively; when the index isdetermined to be even, providing the plurality of pilots in the RU ofthe frame at a second set of positions, respectively; and transmittingthe frame including a 2× High Efficiency Long Training Field (HE-LTF)and the RU, wherein the second set of positions is different from thefirst set of positions, wherein the first set of positions respectivelycorrespond to locations of non-null subcarriers of symbols of the 2×HE-LTF, and wherein the second set of positions respectively correspondto locations of the non-null subcarriers of the symbols of the 2×HE-LTF.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RU is a 52-subcarrier RU,wherein the first set of positions include a first pilot tone positionspaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU,a second pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from thefirst pilot tone position, a third pilot tone position separated byeleven subcarriers from the second pilot tone position, and a fourthpilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from the thirdpilot tone position and spaced six subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, and wherein the second set ofpositions include a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, a sixth pilot toneposition tone separated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilottone position, a seventh pilot tone position separated by elevensubcarriers from the sixth pilot tone position, and an eighth pilot toneposition separated by thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot toneposition and spaced five subcarriers away from a highest-indexedsubcarrier of the RU.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the RU is a26-subcarrier RU, wherein the first set of positions include a firstpilot tone position spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the RU and a second pilot tone position separated bythirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, andwherein the second set of positions include includes a third pilot toneposition spaced six subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier ofthe RU and a fourth pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the third pilot tone position and spaced fivesubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the RU.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the RU is a 26-subcarrier RU, the methodfurther comprising: determining whether the RU is a center RU that issplit into 13 negative-indexed subcarriers and 13 positive-indexedsubcarriers by DC tones; when the RU is determined to be the center RU,providing the plurality of pilots in the RU at a third set of positions,respectively; when the RU is determined to not be the center RU and theindex is odd, providing the plurality of pilots in the RU at the firstset of positions, respectively; and when the RU is determined to not bethe center RU and the index is even, providing the plurality of pilotsin the RU at the second set of positions, respectively, wherein thethird set of positions is different from the second set of positions anddifferent from the first set of positions.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the third set of positions respectively correspond to locationsof the non-null subcarriers of the symbols of the 2× HE-LTF.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the first set of positions include a firstpilot tone position spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexedsubcarrier of the RU and a second pilot tone position separated bythirteen subcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, whereinthe second set of positions include a third pilot tone position spacedsix subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU and afourth pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from thethird pilot tone position and spaced five subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, and wherein the third set ofpositions include a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU and a sixth pilot toneposition spaced six subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrierof the RU.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of positionsis mirror symmetric of the second set of positions.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein pilot tone positions for all RUs in a lower half of a20 MHz channel used to transmit the frame are mirror symmetric to pilottone positions for corresponding mirrored RUs in an upper half of the 20MHz channel.
 9. The method of any of claim 1, wherein the frame istransmitted in a 40 MHz channel, and wherein pilot tone positions forall RUs in a lower half of the 40 MHz channel are mirror symmetric topilot tone positions for corresponding mirrored RUs in an upper half ofthe 40 MHz channel.
 10. A method of a wireless device for receiving aframe, the method comprising: receiving the frame including a 2× HighEfficiency Long Training Field (HE-LTF) and a resource unit (RU), the RUincluding a plurality of pilots; determining an index of a lowestsubcarrier of the RU; and processing the pilots, wherein when the indexis determined to be an odd index, the plurality of pilots are includedat a first set of positions in the RU, respectively, wherein when theindex is determined to be an even index, the plurality of pilots areincluded at a second set of positions in the RU, respectively, andwherein the second set of positions is different from the first set ofpositions, wherein the first set of positions respectively correspond tolocations of non-null subcarriers of symbols of the 2× High EfficiencyLong Training Field, and wherein the second set of positionsrespectively correspond to the locations of the non-null subcarriers ofthe symbols of the 2× High Efficiency Long Training Field.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the RU is a 52-subcarrier RU, wherein thefirst set of positions include a first pilot tone position spaced fivesubcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, a secondpilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from the firstpilot tone position, a third pilot tone position separated by elevensubcarriers from the second pilot tone position, and a fourth pilot toneposition separated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilot toneposition and spaced six subcarriers away from a highest-indexedsubcarrier of the RU, and wherein the second set of positions include afifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriers away from alowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, a sixth pilot tone positionseparated by thirteen subcarriers from the fifth pilot tone position, aseventh pilot tone position separated by eleven subcarriers from thesixth pilot tone position, and an eighth pilot tone position separatedby thirteen subcarriers from the seventh pilot tone position and spacedfive subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the RU. 12.The method of claim 10, wherein the RU is a 26-subcarrier RU, whereinthe first set of positions include a first pilot tone position spacedfive subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU and asecond pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from thefirst pilot tone position and spaced six subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, and wherein the second set ofpositions include a third pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU and a fourth pilot toneposition separated by thirteen subcarriers from the third pilot toneposition and spaced five subcarriers away from a highest-indexedsubcarrier of the RU.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the RU is a26-subcarrier RU, the method further comprising: determining whether theRU is a center RU that is split into 13 negative-indexed subcarriers and13 positive-indexed subcarriers by DC tones, wherein when the RU isdetermined to be the center RU, the plurality of pilots in are includedat a third set of positions in the RU, respectively, respectively; whenthe RU is determined to not be the center RU and the index is odd, theplurality of pilots in are included at the first set of positions in theRU, respectively; and when the RU is determined to not be the center RUand the index is even, the plurality of pilots in are included at thesecond set of positions in the RU, respectively, wherein the third setof positions is different from the second set of positions and differentfrom the first set of positions.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thethird set of positions respectively correspond to the locations of thenon-null subcarriers of the symbols of the 2× HE-LTF.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the first set of positions include a first pilot toneposition spaced five subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrierof the RU and a second pilot tone position separated by thirteensubcarriers from the first pilot tone position and spaced sixsubcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, whereinthe second set of positions include a third pilot tone position spacedsix subcarriers away from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU and afourth pilot tone position separated by thirteen subcarriers from thethird pilot tone position and spaced five subcarriers away from ahighest-indexed subcarrier of the RU, and wherein the third set ofpositions include a fifth pilot tone position spaced six subcarriersaway from a lowest-indexed subcarrier of the RU and a sixth pilot toneposition spaced six subcarriers away from a highest-indexed subcarrierof the RU.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first set ofpositions is a mirror image of the second set of positions.
 17. Themethod of claim 10, wherein pilot tone positions for all RUs in a lowerhalf of a 20 MHz channel used to receive the frame are mirror symmetricto pilot tone positions for corresponding mirrored RUs in an upper halfof the 20 MHz channel.
 18. The method of any of claim 10, wherein theframe is received using a 40 MHz channel, and wherein pilot tonepositions for all RUs in a lower half of the 40 MHz channel are mirrorsymmetric to pilot tone positions for corresponding mirrored RUs in anupper half of the 40 MHz channel.